Indian film actress and former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has called on the government of India to take “immediate” actions in a bid to protect women in this country following the fatal gang-rape of a student that horrified the country.
An outrage was sparked across India following a vicious attack by a group of drunk men on a 23-year-old medical student in New Delhi two months ago in which she was raped and assaulted with an iron bar.
This comes as the India lawmakers are expected to take up new measures to significantly tighten laws on sexual assault against women.
39-year-old Aishwarya Rai Bachchan voiced anger over the situation of women in the country.
While speaking during an awards ceremony she said, “There should be definite laws for offenders. They should be punished immediately. That is when we will see the change in society.”
“I don’t feel fear. Rather there is a lot of anger and I don’t hesitate to say this. Many of us are privileged to have a lot of assurance about our safety but most of the women in our country do not have that,” Rai Bachchan said.
“The incident has brought about a lot of attention and awareness but the change needs to come immediately,” said Rai Bachchan, a regular on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival.
The death of the 23-year-old medical student following massive injuries touch a nerve , leading to an outpouring of criticism about treatment of women in Indian society although gang-rapes are commonplace in India.
At least six individuals are being being tried on charges of murder, out of which five suspects are being tried in a fast-track court while the sixth suspect faces trial in juvenile court.
