Moments after the Delhi court sentenced all four to death for the gang rape and murder of the 23-year-old, her parents were relieved, but they fear that their fight is far from over
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yesterday announced Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 general elections, three days before his birthday on September 17. The announcement came after a meeting of the party’s parliamentary board, which unanimously decided to project Modi as the prime ministerial candidate.
Tipping the scales: A woman stands outside the Delhi court, demanding the death sentence for all four convicts. The judge said that ‘society has no tolerance for such a crime’ and the court ‘cannot turn a blind eye to such gruesome crime’. Pics/AFP
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“We have projected Narendra Modi as our PM candidate,” said BJP President Rajnath Singh after the parliamentary board meeting. Modi, who was honoured by several senior leaders on the occasion, was scheduled to meet BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani later in the day. “I would like to tell you that Modiji is going to meet Advaniji soon to seek his blessings,” added Singh. Advani was not present in the parliamentary board meeting.Several attempts had earlier been made by senior leaders to convince Advani, who had resigned from all party posts when Modi was appointed the election campaign committee chief in Goa earlier this year.
(From left to right) Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma, Mukesh Singh and Akshay Thakur were all sentenced to death
The BJP president even met the stalwart at the latter’s residence on Wednesday, but failed to convince him. Moments after he was named the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, Modi pledged to lead the party to victory in the Lok Sabha election. “I promise that in the 2014 election, the BJP will emerge victorious,” said a confident sounding Modi at the party headquarters, flanked by a galaxy of senior colleagues minus the veteran LK Advani.
“And for this, the party will work hard and we will leave no stone unturned,” Modi said in a brief speech. He said the country was passing through a crisis. “I am sure that people from Kashmir to Kanyakumari will vote for the lotus symbol,” Modi added. In his four-minute speech in Hindi, Modi made it a point to pay tributes to Vajpayee and Advani. Modi also underlined that he had the ‘blessings’ of the BJP’s allies, including the Akali Dal and Shiv Sena. Modi also touched the feet of former president Murli Manohar Joshi as a mark of respect.
He said what! AP Singh, defence counsel for the convicts
The judge has given the death sentence under political pressure. The punishment has been given at the government’s insistence.
Why don’t people first control their daughters? I’d burn my daughter alive if she was having pre-marital sex, roaming around with her boyfriend at night.
I won't appeal in the higher court against the verdict if no rape cases are reported in Delhi after today’s judgment.
‘They are good boys, hard workers’
The mother of one of the gang rapists called for leniency to be shown to her 20-year-old son who, she said, had been led astray. Champa Devi, the mother of Vinay Sharma said her son, and friend and fellow convict Pawan Gupta, were ‘good boys’. “They are hard workers. There isn’t one complaint against them,” she said. “Then this Ram Singh caught him that night and trapped him into this mess.” Sharma was working in a gym at the time of the crime. “The judge should give them a second chance to reform themselves. Even God gives every person a second chance,” Devi said. Ram Singh was the ring leader, police say, as well as the regular driver of the bus.
Celebs, politicos welcome judgment
Justice was given to the girl. It gives the message that if you commit such a crime, this is the punishment - Sushilkumar Shinde, Home Minister
I welcome the judgment in the Delhi gang rape case. This will serve as a deterrent for such offences - Sushma Swaraj, BJP leader
Also remember that unless the average Indian's mindset towards women changes, little else will - Milind Deora, Congress
Death sentence for the rapists! Thank god...there is a god and finally there is justice. - Karan Johar
Death sentence for rapists. This Friday the 13th is a day of justice. Jai Ho (sic). - Anupam Kher
Justice prevails, death sentence for the four rapists! Hope this conveys a message to the other men. They deserve nothing less for such a heinous act! - Akshay Kumar
Superb! For once it’s been victory of the people! Delhi rape victim. Nirbhaya’s rapists to hang. - Raveena Tandon
Not in India, just heard about the death penalty for all four rapists. Finally, feel that not everything is wrong with the system! - Neha Dhupia
It's a revolutionary judgment. At least out of 100, 10 will think before committing this horrible crime of rape. - Mugdha Godse
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