‘Officials do not prioritise security, sit in their cabins,’ says parking operator amid protest over rape at Pune bus station

“They take a quick round and then sit in their cabins. The police only show up when something serious happens,” the operator told The Indian Express.

Meanwhile, activists, students, and citizens Thursday staged a massive protest at the bus station demanding justice for the young rape survivor. The demonstration, led by the Stree Mukti League, saw strong calls for swift legal action and accountability from authorities. The chants of “Nyay Dya, Suraksha Dya! (Give Justice, Ensure Safety!)” echoed through the station.

Addressing the gathering, Swapnaja Limkar, Coordinator, Stree Mukti League, said, “Crimes against women are increasing at an alarming rate. Schools, colleges, roads, hospitals, even homes, no place is safe anymore. This is the result of a deeply entrenched patriarchal mindset that enables such atrocities while shielding perpetrators. We demand immediate and strict legal action, the resignation of Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and accountability of the bus station authorities and the police.”

Social activist Trupti Desai criticised the delay in arresting the accused. “It has been 48 hours since this horrific crime took place… What action has the government taken? The accused is still at large. Women rely on government buses for safe travel, yet incidents like this expose the glaring failure of the police and the Home Department. If they cannot ensure safety, they are failing in their fundamental duty,” she added.

Desai also targeted the Maharashtra State Commission for Women. “We don’t need the Commission to remind us not to trust strangers; women already live with that reality. The real question is, what is the Commission doing to protect women?” she asked, singling out Commission Chairperson Rupali Chakankar, who hails from Pune.

“If women are unsafe in her city, what is she doing to change that?” Desai asked.

Among the protesters was Shrutika Yadav, a university student who frequently commutes by bus. “I use this bus station every day. If such an incident can occur here, where people are around, then nowhere is safe. Who is responsible for our security?” she asked.