200 hold candlelight vigil at Hong Lim Park for Indian gang-rape victim

DESPITE the heavy rain, about 200 people gathered at Hong Lim Park earlier this evening for a candlelight vigil to honour the Indian woman who was brutally gang-raped in India last month. The victim died from her injuries after she was transferred to Mount Elizabeth Hospital last week for treatment.

Many Indian nationals and Singaporean Indians were present at the event, as well as social activists and those from women advocacy groups here.

Candles were sold and plastic sheets were spread out on the ground, as participants at the event scribbled their messages on A4-sized pieces of paper and laid them on the sheets. One message read: "Women are born to be cherished and pampered by men. Not to get assaulted."

The crowd dispersed at about 8pm due to the rain, although the event was scheduled to last from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

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