THE Delhi units of the AIDWA, SFI and DYFI held a demonstration at Haryana Bhawan, New Delhi on February 29 to express their outrage at the mass rape of women in Murthal and the attempts of the Haryana state government to cover up this heinous crime. The demonstrators were addressed by Jagmati Sangwan, general secretary of the AIDWA. She condemned the state government and chief minister Khattar for their inability to prevent the horrific violence accompanying the Jat agitation. She demanded adequate compensation from the government for all those who have suffered loss of life and property. She also accused the BJP-RSS of pitting different castes against each other. Jagmati expressed shock at the reports of mass rape of women at Murthal, just 50 km from Delhi. The Haryana unit of AIDWA sent a team to Murthal whose report states that there is circumstantial evidence to suggest mass rape of women. However, the government and police are doing their level best to cover up these crimes. Circumstantial evidence was collected four days after the rapes. District level police officers terrorised the victims and their families and asked them not to file any complaint. Local villagers were warned that if they revealed any information, their sons would be booked for rape. The SIT formed to investigate consists of officers of the police department that has been accused of inaction and complicity in the above crime. The head of the team is actively trying to discourage witnesses. No trust can be placed on such a SIT. A memorandum encompassing the following demands was submitted to the resident commissioner Anand Mohan Sharan: 1. Adequate compensation from the government for all those who have suffered loss of life and property during the Jat agitation. 2. Reconstitute the SIT formed to investigate reports of mass rape at Murthal. The SIT should consist of a retired judge of the High Court and senior lawyer who have a record of upholding civil liberties and representative of a women’s organisation that is known to fight for the rights of women. 3. Apprehend and punish the guilty in the Murthal mass rape case. 4. Strong action against police officers and ranks guilty of inaction or complicity in the Murthal mass rape case. Other speakers included Kavita Sharma (AIDWA), Pramod (DYFI) and Shaqib (SFI). The protest ended with an appeal to the people to maintain peace and defeat the attempts to divide them on caste and communal lines.