By Emb Hashmi
The horrific gang rape of an innocent 23 year old student whilst she was on a date with her boyfriend, and unsuspectingly got onto the wrong bus, has sparked internationally outrage and condemnation, with powerful leaders and acclaimed woman’s rights groups calling on the Indian government to take strong actions not just on the suspects of Damini’s case but to make sure the law is changed and safe guards are put into protect woman against this heinous crime.
Reena Combo who first heard about Daminis rape as millions of others in the world on the Indian news channels as her dad always watches them; she said she felt sick that such inhuman animals existed in the world. She felt compelled to do something to try and help Damini, to get her story out to the world, to tell the world this was totally unacceptable and the Indian government need to take action, and change the laws so there’s not another Damini.
As well as posting on her social networking site, and contributing to a petition, she decided to organize a vigil with help from friends and family.
She had never done anything like this before so was unsure what response she would receive and if anyone would turn up. Reena has also started a blog dedicated to Damini’s memory, under Justice for Damini. Reenu has said she has done all this because she felt she needed to “I did this because I wanted to help make a difference, I wanted to help this woman who is no longer here to have some sort of voice”.
Asian World spoke to Reenu about Damini and the vigil in her memory.
We asked her what made her do something about Daminis case?
“I wanted to speak out and be heard and the only platform I could find was social networking. From one tweet that was re-tweeted by 100’s of people over night I then put on the candle-lit vigil in Birmingham. I didn’t realize it was going to make such an impact”.
Reenu continues her campaign as the trial of the 6 accused is underway in Delhi under high security and the government has promised big changes in the way they handle rape cases, however protesters are still venting their anger on the streets of Delhi.
