Last week, in New Delhi, India, news stories of a horrific gang rape spread quickly, igniting widespread outrage. A 23 year old woman was attacked by six men on a moving bus and brutalized for 45 minutes, in the most recent and alarming of several high-profile incidents. Protesters have taken to the streets to demonstrate against the growing incidence of rape, and its slow and ineffective prosecution. Riot police have responded, dispersing crowds with forceful tactics including water cannons, batons, and tear gas. India's government has now ordered a special inquiry into the incident to identify any negligence or errors on the part of police.
Violent Protests in India Over Rape Case
-
Protesters react as Indian police officers use a water cannon to disperse them near the India Gate as they protest against the gang rape and brutal beating of a 23-year-old student on a bus last week, in New Delhi, India, on December 23, 2012. The attack last Sunday has sparked days of protests across the country. Thousands gathered to protest against current rape laws and government handling of recent rape cases all over India. #
AP Photo/Saurabh Das -
-
Students chant anti-police slogans during a protest against the Indian governments reaction to recent rape incidents in India in front of the Presidential Palace on December 22, 2012 in New Delhi, India. #
Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images -
Indian youth hold candles and placards as they take part in a candlelight vigil following the gang rape of a student last week in the Indian capital during a rally in Ahmedabad, on December 23, 2012. #
Sam Panthaky/AFP/Getty Images -
Indian demonstrators burn an effigy representing rapists during a protest calling for better safety for women following the rape of a student in New Delhi, on December 26, 2012. #
Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images -
-
Protesters gather outside the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, on December 22, 2012. Police in India's capital used tear gas and water cannons to push back thousands of people who tried to march to the presidential mansion. #
AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal -
-
An Indian policeman charges with his baton to disperse protesters demonstrating against a gang rape and brutal beating of a 23-year-old student on a bus, in New Delhi, on December 23, 2012. #
AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal -
Indian demonstrators are hit by water cannon during a protest calling for better safety for women following the rape of a student last week, in front the India Gate monument in New Delhi, on December 23, 2012. #
Tengku Bahar/AFP/Getty Images -
-
Indian women protesting against the brutal gang-rape of a woman last week attempt to remove police barricades as they try to approach the residence of Indian Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde in New Delhi, on December 24, 2012. Authorities shut down roads in the heart of India's capital on Monday to put an end to a week of demonstrations. #
AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi -
-
Indian music director and social activist Kishor Giri sits on a road median, showing his protest against the brutal gang-rape of a woman on a moving bus last week in New Delhi, in Gauhati, India, on December 25, 2012. #
AP Photo/Anupam Nath -
Indian women hold placards outside the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit during a protest over the gang rape of a woman in New Delhi, on December 19, 2012. The outpouring of anger is unusual in a country where attacks against women are often ignored and rarely prosecuted. #
AP Photo/Manish Swarup -
-
Demonstrating Indian school students hold placards as they shout anti-government slogans during a protest calling for better safety for women following the rape of a student in New Delhi on December 24, 2012. #
Raveendran/AFP/Getty Images -
A demonstrator stands on a barricade erected by police and shouts slogans during a protest rally organized by various women's organizations in New Delhi, on December 21, 2012. #
Reuters/Mansi Thapliyal -
-
A police officer and a demonstrator scuffle near the presidential palace during a protest rally in New Delhi, on December 22, 2012. Indian police used batons, tear gas and water cannon to turn back thousands of people marching on the presidential palace in intensifying protests against the gang-rape of a woman on the streets and on social media. #
Reuters/Adnan Abidi -
-
-
A female protester shouts as she is hit with an Indian police water cannon during a violent demonstration near the India Gate against a gang rape and brutal beating of a 23-year-old student on a bus last week, in New Delhi, on December 23, 2012. The attack last Sunday sparked days of protests across the country. #
AP Photo/Kevin Frayer
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.