Candles, posters brighten up city’s newest ‘landmark’

The Munirka Family Planning Association of India bus stop is the city’s newest landmark, Ritam Halder reports.

The Munirka Family Planning Association of India bus stop is the city’s newest landmark.

Huge crowds flocked to the bus stop, some to board buses to their respective destinations, while others to stand and stare. Its claim to fame, or infamy, comes from the fact that it is the site where the gangrape victim along with her male friend had boarded the bus on that ill-fated Sunday night.

Candles, flowers and posters flooded the place as people watched in awe the sight of solidarity by people of what has come to be known as the rape capital of the country. Ramesh Singh, a resident of Munirka who works as an executive in a private firm, said people won’t forget this incident easily. “She has emerged as a symbol of resistance. And this is a remarkable thing done by the JNU students, who have put posters and lighted candles at this very site,” Singh said.

On Tuesday, too, officegoers, students and families lit candles at bus stop. “This is a place of shame and shouldn’t be confused with a shrine. We are not at all proud of this,” Sujata Soy, a PhD student of Jamia Millia Islamia said.