The detention of the Unnao rape survivor during a protest in Delhi has sparked fresh political outrage. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has questioned the treatment meted out to the survivor and raised concerns over the justice system after the main accused was granted bail. The incident has once again brought the survivor’s long legal struggle into national focus.
What Happened at the India Gate Protest
The Unnao rape survivor and her mother staged a protest at India Gate in New Delhi. The protest followed the bail granted to former MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who was convicted in the 2017 rape case.
Videos showed the survivor being forcefully carried away from the protest site by police personnel. The visuals triggered criticism from opposition leaders and activists.
Rahul Gandhi reacted strongly to the incident on Wednesday. He questioned whether the survivor deserved such treatment while fighting for justice. He said in a post on X, “Is such treatment of a gang rape survivor appropriate? Is it her ‘fault’ that she dares to raise her voice for justice?”
The Leader of the Opposition said the survivor was facing constant pressure.
‘Living Under the Shadow of Fear’: Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi said the survivor was being “repeatedly harassed” and continued to live in fear.
He criticised the justice system and said, “Bail for rapists, and treating survivors like criminals—what kind of justice is this? We are not just becoming a dead economy—with such inhuman incidents, we are also turning into a dead society,” he said.
He also called the bail order “extremely disappointing and shameful”. Rahul Gandhi stressed that dissent is a democratic right.
He said, “In a democracy, raising a voice of dissent is a right, and suppressing it is a crime. The survivor deserves respect, safety, and justice—not helplessness, fear, and injustice,” he added.
Survivor to Challenge Bail Order in Supreme Court
The Unnao rape survivor has decided to move the Supreme Court against the Delhi High Court’s order that suspended Sengar’s jail sentence.
The 24-year-old survivor said she fears for her life after his release.
She said, “He is a powerful man. He would get his men to do his dirty work for him. When my car met with an accident in which two of my relatives and my lawyer died in 2019, Sengar didn’t do it himself. His henchmen did. Now that he is out, we are all unsafe,” she said.
Why the Case Continues to Matter
The Unnao rape case remains one of India’s most disturbing criminal cases. It has repeatedly raised questions about survivor safety, political influence, and delays in justice.
The latest developments have reignited public debate on accountability and the protection of victims.