Hundreds of residents, along with family members of the three-year-old rape and murder victim from Nasrapur, staged a silent protest march from Balgandharva Chowk to Savarkar Smarak in Deccan on Sunday evening. The demonstrators demanded the harshest possible punishment for the 65-year-old accused.
Protest Details
Several social organizations collaborated to organize the protest, which saw participation from women, students, and activists. Participants carried placards seeking justice for the young victim.
On May 1, a three-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered in Nasrapur, located in Bhor taluka. The police arrested a 65-year-old man as the prime accused, who had previously been acquitted in a similar offense. The incident sparked outrage across Pune district and other parts of Maharashtra.
Victim's Father Addresses Protesters
Addressing the crowd at Savarkar Smarak, the victim's father stated, "The protest is not against anyone. It is to remind the judiciary and the government that society is still alive and watching. The accused in my daughter's case and in all such heinous crimes should be given the strictest punishment." He urged the government to introduce stronger laws to prevent rape and murder, while ensuring speedy trials so that victims receive justice without delay. The father expressed satisfaction with the investigation's pace and the regular updates from police, adding that they assured him the chargesheet would be filed on May 11. He reiterated his demand for capital punishment for the accused.
Support from Differently Abled Cricketers
Among those who joined the march were differently abled cricketers led by Onkar Roundale, captain of the Maharashtra Wheelchair Cricket Team. Roundale noted that several players came directly from cricket grounds to participate. "We represent the state team and want the government to take the issue seriously. Crimes against women and children continue to occur almost every day. The accused should receive the harshest punishment, and victims must get justice," he said.
Voices of Protesters
A woman protester emphasized the need for concrete steps to ensure women feel safe outside their homes. "We are mothers too and can understand the pain the family is going through. We hope no one else has to suffer such a tragedy," she said.
Protester Priyanka highlighted loopholes in the legal system, noting that the accused had been acquitted earlier in a similar case. "The May 1 incident may not have happened had he not been released earlier. The government should amend laws to ensure such offenders do not walk free and there are time-bound trials," she said.
Another protester, Rupali Kulkarni, appealed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to act before the situation worsens. "Women are compelled to take law into their own hands for justice. The government must wake up now, instead of waiting for another tragedy. People are exhausted with protesting on the streets after every incident, but to no positive end," she said.
