Kolkata shows solidarity to gang raped nun

Kolkata, March 16: Their faces reflected the pain and agony but the steely resolve to get culprits punished was radiant all across as people from all walks of life, cutting across religion and creed, assembled in Park Street here and held a candlelight vigil to denounce the gang-rape of a nun in West Bengal’s dia district.

Showing solidarity with the sister superior of the Convent of Jesus and Mary High School in Raghat, who was brutalised by bandits on Saturday, children and adults alike sung hymns and offered prayers but the hatred for the culprits and the anger over the administration’s failure to b them yet, was writ large.

Even as the air reverberated with Bengali and English songs of love, life and humanity, the anguish over the administration’s ibility to make headway yet was palpable.

Even Archbishop of Calcutta Thomas D’Souza, who had called the assembly to show solidarity with the rape survivor, didn’t hide his displeasure. “While the CID (Crimil Investigation Department) probe and the detention of eight people in this case is a welcome start, we are not happy yet because not much headway has been made in this regard.  “We urge the government and the administration to arrest the culprits at the earliest and bring them to justice,” D’Souza said addressing the huge gathering at Allen Park in Park Street. Similar sentiments reverberated with many of the youngsters flashing placards denouncing crime against women and demanding capital punishment. “It’s almost three days but police could do nothing. We want the rapists to be hanged, unless they are arrested and hanged we will not sit quite,” said a youngster.

A large number of young and old women too lent out their voices in condemning the ghastly incident that has had caused revulsion in the state and beyond. Calling for promoting love and humanity, the Archbishop said: “Every one of us is capable of bringing about the culture of love, humanity and respect for one and all. Let us create that culture.”

A similar march was also held in Raghat where the people’s patience seemed to be running thin. (IANS)