A lot has changed since 16/12, but we must fight on

Perhaps no other crime in recent times has shaken an otherwise inert citizenry into action more than the December 16 gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman in a Delhi bus.

Perhaps no other crime in recent times has shaken an otherwise inert citizenry into action more than the December 16 gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman in a Delhi bus.

HT Image

Exactly two years ago, five men raped her, inserted a rod into her, pulled her intestines out, and threw her and her male friend out in the cold streets.

The sheer brutality of it, made worse by an unfazed government, broke the dam of public patience. People who every day mutely suffer or see their dear ones suffer sexual harassment on Indian streets came out on the streets to protest.

The state responded by bringing out the canes, water cannons, and teargas.

In the two years since, much has changed. New laws have been framed, there is much higher recording of cases and mass psyche is far more alert on sex crimes.

But much hasn’t. As the recent Uber cab rape has shown, our public transport and shared spaces are still far from safe.

HT has been relentlessly covering sexual crimes and campaigning for a safer India. Over the next six days starting today, we bring you a series of stories, opinion polls, investigations and interviews to further reinforce our commitment to the cause.

Do send your experiences, opinions, and suggestions to @httweets using #WakeUpIndia to make our coverage better.