A sandal march was organized on 21 April 2018 in Ranchi from Sainik Market to Albert Ekka Chowk by women, students, youth, social and cultural organizations to protest against the growing number of rapes across the country including Jharkhand, Unnao, Kathua, Surat and Delhi, and the protection given by the government to the rapists. During the march women carried sandals in their hands and raised slogans demanding conviction for rapists and condemning the government for attempts to shield the accused in the rape cases. Addressing the meeting speakers said that after Nirbhaya we had thought that the situation had improved; but instead the rape situation has taken a horrific turn for the worse. MPs and MLAs are now taking out Tiranga Yatras in defence of rapists and rapes are getting political protection, creating insecurity in society. Women, children, students and minorities are being terrorized. Women will no longer tolerate this rule of terror which encourages rape. Activists from many organizations participated in the march including AISA, SFI, DYFI, AISF, AIDWA, NAPAM, JIDAWF, AIPWA, AIPF, AIDWA, UMF, SHE WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, SHE, APCR, BGVS, JSA, Ekjut, Awami Insaf Manch, Yuva Ulgulan Manch, Adivasi Mulvasi Chhatra Morcha, Jharkhand Yuva Shakti, Adivasi YuvaMorcha, Muslim Yuva Manch, Aao Hath Milaye, and Bharatiya Parivartan Morcha. About 300 people participated in the march during which a human chain was also formed. A memorandum was also submitted to the Governor of Jharkhand demanding proper implementation of the Verma Commission recommendations, justice for the Kathua-Unnao-Surat-Delhi-Sasaram-Pakud-Gumla-Bokaro-Ranchi rape victims, strengthening of Mahila Thanas and women’s, children’s and minority commissions, and proper women’s toilets at schools colleges, universities, government and private offices.
A candle march was held in Dhanbad district on 18 April to protest against the Kathua-Unnao and several other rapes in the country. The march was organized by AISA and common citizens. Women and children also held a march at Garhwa city on 22 April to protest against the increasing incidents of rape.
