Students of Lady Shri Ram College for Women in Delhi are organising a solidarity march in support of the minor survivor in the Kalkaji alleged gang rape case. The demonstration is scheduled to take place on September 23, 2026, with students planning to assemble at the college gate.
According to reports, the march is being organised to express solidarity with the survivor and demand justice in the case. Students are also using the demonstration to raise broader concerns about women's safety, security around educational institutions and the need for stronger accountability when crimes against women are reported.
The march follows a police operation near the LSR campus linked to the investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a 17 year old girl in the Kalkaji area. The police encounter involving one of the accused reportedly took place close to the college's back gate, approximately 50 metres from the campus. The proximity of the incident led to concerns among students and prompted the college administration to temporarily suspend physical classes.
LSR had shifted classes to online mode after the incident, citing the safety and well being of students, faculty and staff. The administration also advised members of the college community not to gather near the back gate while it coordinated with Delhi Police regarding security arrangements around the campus.
The students organising the solidarity march have also highlighted the issue of women's freedom to move safely after dark. Their stated concerns extend beyond the immediate incident and include the conditions that women may encounter while travelling between educational institutions, public transport points and other locations.
The planned demonstration is therefore expected to focus on both the specific criminal case and wider campus safety concerns. Students have raised questions about security arrangements around the college and nearby areas, including lighting, police presence and safety along routes frequently used by students.
The incident has also prompted discussions about the security infrastructure around Aastha Kunj Park and the areas adjoining the LSR campus. Reports have highlighted concerns relating to lighting, surveillance and security arrangements in the area.
LSR Student Concerns
The LSR Students' Union had earlier called an emergency General Body Meeting after the police encounter near the college. The meeting was intended to provide students with an opportunity to discuss their concerns, share experiences and consider measures that could improve security around the institution.
The students' concerns are not limited to the college campus itself. The surrounding roads, parks and routes used by students have also become part of the discussion. Students have called for attention to areas where women may feel vulnerable, particularly during evening and night hours.
The college administration has said that it is communicating with Delhi Police regarding security around the campus. It has also requested increased police patrolling in lanes adjoining the college, particularly near the back gate and nearby parks.
The administration has further made faculty mentors and the college counsellor available to students who may require support following the incident. These steps were announced after the police operation near the campus heightened concerns among members of the college community.
Background to the Kalkaji Case
The solidarity march comes against the backdrop of an ongoing criminal investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a 17 year old girl at Aastha Kunj Park near Kalkaji Mandir.
According to the police account reported by news organisations, three men allegedly approached the girl and her male friend while claiming to be police officers. Police said the men separated the girl from her friend and allegedly took her to a secluded part of the park, where the girl was sexually assaulted.
An FIR was registered at Amar Colony police station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Police also said that the survivor underwent a medical examination at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
One of the accused, identified by police as Asif, was later involved in an encounter with police during an attempt to apprehend him. Police said he opened fire at officers and was subsequently injured in the leg. The encounter took place near the LSR back gate, bringing the criminal investigation directly into the vicinity of the college.
The allegations against the accused remain subject to the ongoing legal process. Reports have also carried a denial from the family of two other accused, who disputed the allegations and claimed that the men had been wrongly implicated. Those claims have not independently established the circumstances of the case.
Focus on Women's Safety
The planned solidarity march has also brought attention to wider concerns about women's safety in Delhi. Students are using the demonstration to discuss the fear that women may experience while travelling or accessing public spaces, particularly after dark.
The organisers have said that the march is intended to assert women's right to move freely and safely. Their concerns include the safety of routes around educational institutions and the need for authorities to identify locations where students face security risks.
The discussion also includes the need for location specific safety measures rather than relying only on general safety advisories. Students have raised issues concerning lighting, visibility, last mile transportation, emergency access and police patrolling in areas commonly used by students.
For LSR students, the issue has become particularly relevant because the police operation connected with the case took place close to their campus. The college's temporary shift to online classes demonstrated the immediate impact the incident had on academic activities.
Classes and Campus Arrangements
Following the incident, LSR suspended physical classes and shifted teaching temporarily to online mode. The administration said the move was taken with the safety of students, faculty and staff in mind.
The college also asked students, teachers and staff not to gather near the back gate. At the same time, it communicated with Delhi Police about security arrangements and requested additional patrolling around the campus perimeter.
The solidarity march is therefore taking place amid continuing discussions about campus security and the safety of students travelling around the institution.
The event is expected to provide students with a platform to express solidarity with the survivor and communicate their concerns about safety and accountability. It also highlights the role of student communities in raising issues concerning their campuses and surrounding public spaces.
The criminal investigation and the student demonstration are separate developments. The investigation will continue through the legal process, while the march represents the students' public expression of concern and solidarity.
Students and members of the public following the case should rely on official statements from Delhi Police, the college administration and court records for confirmed developments. Allegations in the criminal case should be distinguished from facts established through the judicial process.