Members of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) hold a candle march from the NSUI headquarters at Raisina Road towards Jantar Mantar, demanding justice for Ankita Bhandari, in New Delhi, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (PTI Photo/Salman Ali)
New Delhi: The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) on Saturday organised a candle march here demanding justice for Ankita Bhandari and questioned the appointment of a person with a pending investigation as Sikkim Governor.
Amid heavy police deployment, the protest march was led by NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar, who questioned the BJP's claims of women's empowerment and its commitment to women's safety and dignity, the organisation's statement said.
Raising concerns over the appointment of a person -- against whom an investigation is still underway -- as Governor of Sikkim, Jakhar said, "The way the BJP speaks about 'Nari Vandan', the daughters of this country are watching, and the entire country is witnessing how you are appointing someone as a Governor when an investigation against him is still underway."
He said the demand for justice for Ankita Bhandari, who was murdered in Uttarakhand in 2022, should not be sidelined and called for accountability from those in positions of power.
The Congress' student wing said the candle march, which began from its national office, was aimed at demanding a transparent process and justice for the victim.
The organisation would continue to raise issues concerning women's dignity, safety and justice, it said.
They also alleged that a large police force was deployed around the protest site during the march.
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