New Delhi: The Congress, Left and Bhim Army activists staged protests near the Uttar Pradesh Bhawan and India Gate in Delhi on Wednesday, demanding justice for the victim. Delhi witnessed protests on Tuesday evening as well when the body of the woman was taken to Hathras.

On Wednesday morning, Congress and Left activists gathered outside the UP Bhawan for protests separately, but were detained by the police. The police have booked the protesters, mostly students and women activists, for assembling in violation of prohibitory orders and Covid-19 guidelines, and detained some of them briefly.

The Left-affiliated All India Students’ Association (AISA), which gave the call for a candlelight march at India Gate in the evening, alleged that the police forcibly removed the protesters from the spot and harassed and detained women, a charge denied by the police. Some Bhim Army activists also joined the protest near India Gate. In a call for candlelight vigil at India Gate, protesters demanding justice for the Dalit victim of gang rape in Hathras were brutally assaulted and detained by Delhi Police. The protesters were attacked, women members harassed and taken into custody,” the AISA alleged.

Thirty-two men have been detained for organising an unauthorised protest on Man Singh Road near India Gate, police said. “A few female protesters who were part of the protesting group were removed from the spot. The protesters belonged to AISA and Bhim Army. Legal action under relevant sections of law is being taken,” said Deepak Yadav, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi.