Hathras gangrape: Protests erupt across country as political leaders, activists add voice to chorus of condemnation

The death of a 19-year-old Dalit woman, who was brutally gangraped two weeks ago in Hathras, led to a nationwide outrage. Many activists and protesters added their voice to the chorus of condemnation. In West Bengal, the student wing of Congress held a protest in front of Raj Bhavan, Kolkata on Wednesday. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

Students stage a protest outside Raj Bhavan in Kolkata. The body of victim was cremated in the dead of the night on Wednesday with family members alleging they were forced by police to hurriedly conduct the last rites. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

Students in West Bengal raise slogans demanding resignation of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Amid outrage, Adityanath on Wednesday constituted a three-member SIT to probe the gangrape case and also asked for conducting the trial in a fast track court. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

In Delhi, security forces were deployed at India Gate to stop the protest over Hathras gangrape. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

Members of various political and students outfits were detained by police at the UP Bhavan in Delhi during a protest against the Hathras gangrape. (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal

As protests broke out in several parts of the country and political leaders and activists voiced their protest over the manner in which the funeral was conducted near the woman's home in a village in Hathras, a local police officer said it was carried out "as per the wishes of the family".

Many demanded action against the police personnel who reportedly refused to file an FIR in the case and against those responsible for the forcible cremation of the victim.

Protesting against the UP government over handling the Hathras case, members of the Ajad Samaj party and Bhim Army burn effigy of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Ludhiana. (Express Photo by Gurmeet Singh)