NEW DELHI — Thousands of people angry over alleged police inaction after a 6-year-old girl was raped at her school in southern India rallied Saturday to demand that authorities arrest those responsible for the attack.
More than 4,000 parents and relatives of children who attend the school in Bangalore, India’s technology hub, shouted slogans against the school’s administration and demanded that police arrest those involved in the July 2 assault, which was reported only this past week.
They carried placards that read “Enough is enough” and “We want justice,” and walked more than 2 miles to one of Bangalore’s main police stations.
Police said the girl was assaulted when she left her classroom to go to the restroom. They said she was recovering from the attack, but did not give further details.
The rape has raised questions about the safety of India’s schoolchildren and sparked nationwide anger over rampant sexual violence against girls and women.
The school has refused to take responsibility for the crime.
Angry lawmakers discussed the case in the state assembly on Friday and demanded that the government of Karnataka state, of which Bangalore is the capital, punish the school principal and other administrators who allegedly tried to hush the matter.
The parents have said they will keep their children out of school until steps are in place to ensure their safety.
Police said eight members of the school’s staff had been detained for questioning.
The protesters squatted outside a police station and refused to move until Bangalore’s police chief assured them the suspects would be arrested.