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Activists, NGO workers and students have shown unusual enthusiasm in expressing their anger and anguish against the poor law and order situation, which they all blame for the unabated rape cases throughout the country.
Evidently, the resentment is not just against the recent Delhi rape. It is a manifestation of the frustration of the masses against misgovernance on account of rising corruption, police inaction against criminals and the sluggish judicial system. This is clearly visible in their outburst.
"We have been tolerating all the misgovernance by successive governments. Enough is enough; we are not going to take all this lying down any more," cried Ratna Srivastava, a teacher, leading a large group of fellow protestors in Lucknow.
Says activist Deepak Kabir, head of Kalam Vichar Manch, an NGO, "We are completely disgusted with the indifferent administration, inefficient policing and large scale corruption that had led to this situation that outlaws have a field day. Rapists know they can get away with their misdeeds so they remain insolent. Therefore, what we need is tougher deterrent laws to deal with such elements. But, I do not think that death sentence is a solution."
Maulana Khalid Rasheed , who heads the city's oldest Islamic seminary, said, "There is a need to amend the law and award capital punishment to rapists."
A large number of young girls from a madrassa run by the seminary also participated in protests on Sunday.
The chain of protests continued throughout the day. Social activists and university students also led candlelight marches in the evening.