Around 200 Delhi University students marched near August Kranti Marg on Friday, demanding stronger measures to protect women and children following reports of the gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in a Delhi park.
Students from Lady Shri Ram College, Gargi College, Miranda House and Kamala Nehru College participated in the demonstration, which began near Kamala Nehru College and concluded at Gargi College. It was the second student protest during the week over concerns about violence against women and minors.
Students participating in the march described personal safety as an issue that increasingly shapes their everyday movements around the city. One student said she regularly asks someone to accompany her home and shares her live location with several people.
Another said women should not have to live with persistent fear while travelling on roads, using public transport or moving through neighbourhoods surrounding their colleges and accommodation.
Students acknowledged some recent security measures, including increased police patrolling around National Park and Vikram Vihar, strengthened Pink Squad patrols, greater monitoring near the Pink Booth and college back gate, and improvements to street lighting.
Following the march, participants gathered along Siri Fort Road to discuss and prepare a formal list of demands.
Organisers campaigning under the banner “Hum Auratein Azaad Hai” argued that restricting women’s freedom of movement should not become the primary response to sexual violence.
They expressed concern over proposals to restrict women from entering public parks after sunset and impose stricter curfews at hostels and paying-guest accommodation, arguing that such measures could place the burden of preventing violence on women themselves.
Instead, protesters called for better-lit streets, safer and more accessible public transport, stronger protection in public areas and greater freedom for women and gender minorities to occupy public spaces without fear.
The demonstrations have renewed discussion over how authorities should respond to violence against women — whether by restricting their movement in the name of protection or by focusing on making public spaces themselves safer and more accessible.