On August 28, Mumbaikars observed a silent protest at Bandra’s Carter Road promenade demanding the revocation of release of the convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case of the 2002 Gujarat riots. The gathering was organised by various rights-based groups and not-for-profit networks and was joined by people like well-known poet Aamir Aziz, actress Sayani Gupta and a number of social activists, students across the city.

The premature release of 11 prisoners convicted for the gang rape of Bano and murder of at least seven of her family members, including her three-year-old child, while she was fleeing the Gujarat riots in 2002 has triggered protests across the country. The convicts were remitted by the Gujarat government on August 15, when the country observed its 75th Independence Day.