Chennai: Two days after the murder of a 24-year-old woman near Nungambakkam railway station, people came forward to participate in a candlelight vigil and express their solidarity with the victim on Sunday evening.
What began with a small gathering of people at the site of murder, later witnessed more people joining the vigil and expressing their agony over the character assassination of the murder victim by some sections of the media including social media.
The solidarity meet held by Knowledge Professional Forums saw activists, working professionals, retired citizens and students coming forward to express their grief and concern over the incident. Children as young as eight could be seen holding posters while their parents asked them to pray for the young IT employee.
“Public morality at this level is a dangerous sign, and it’s time to question ourselves as it could have happened to anyone. Media, while playing a vital role in bringing the news out and pressure the authorities to investigate should not indulge in character assassination of the slain girl,” said Alagunambi Welkin, one of the organizers.
He added that increasing attacks on working women like this is an alarming signal and it’s the duty of the government and the police to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
“In the past three years, three IT employees have been killed. It is also the responsibility of companies to ensure safety of their female workforce,” he added.
In the wake of the criminal acts, other groups are also coming forward to express their solidarity and to bring forth the need for safety and security of women in the city.
To throw light on issues faced by women in the city, Senior Citizens Group of Besantnagar (SCGOBN) is also organising a condolence meet to condole the brutal murder of Swathi S, and Pandiammal and her two daughters in Chennai last week.
