Nirbhaya-The Story that Shook India
In New Delhi, a 23-year-old medical student from Ballia was the victim of a gruesome and violent gang rape. Her story sparked a revolution throughout India to fight for the protection of women and to end violence against females. Because India has laws that protect the rape victim’s name and identity, she was given the name “Nirbhaya”; in Hindu, Nirbhaya means “the fearless one.”
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On December 16, 2012, Nirbhaya decided to see a movie with her male friend before she began her internship that would last for many months. After finishing the movie, Nirbhaya and her friend had to take a 45-minute drive to get back to her home in the outskirts of Delhi. They originally wanted to take a rickshaw to get back home, but no driver wanted to take the long journey. Nirbhaya and her friend were forced to take the bus late at night. Nirbhaya was the only woman on the bus, surrounded by her friend, five other male passengers, and a male driver. Shortly after they boarded the bus, Nirbhaya’s friend was beaten and Nirbhaya was dragged to the back of the bus. The five men took turns violently beating, raping, and violating Nirbhaya. The bus continued to drive around for an hour before the men dumped Nirbhaya and her friend on the side of the road.
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