in India in 2002. Bilkis Bano 11 men who gang raped a woman named and killed her child were released. Bano, addressing the state officials on the court’s decision, “Correct this mistake, give me the right to live without fear” he called.
According to the news in India Today, Bilkis Bano, who was pregnant at the time, was gang-raped by 11 men during three days of protests and clashes in the Indian state of Gujarat in 2002. Bilkis Bano’s three-year-old daughter, who returned from the dead, was also killed.
11 convicts who were sentenced to life imprisonment in 2002 were released on 15 August.
After the convicts were released, Bano called on the state government to reverse the decision.
Bano said in a statement:
“Two days ago, on August 15, the trauma of 20 years ago came over me again. I learned that 11 convicts who ruined my family, my life and took my 3-year-old child from me were released freely. Today I just want to say: How can justice for any woman end up like this? I trusted the highest courts, the system in our country, and was slowly learning to live with the trauma. The release of the convicts has taken my peace of mind and shaken my confidence in justice. My pain is not only for myself, but for all women fighting for justice in the courts.”
Saying that he cannot guarantee the safety and health of anyone from now on, Bano continued as follows:
“I appeal to the Gujarat government. Please revert from this mistake. Give me back my right to live in peace, without fear. Make sure my family and I are safe”
In 2002, at the age of 20 and a few months pregnant, Bano was gang-raped by 11 men she had known for years. Balloon’s family members and 3-year-old child were also killed.