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SINGAPORE — A 23-year-old Indian woman who was gang-raped and severely beaten on a bus in New Delhi died Saturday at a Singapore hospital.
The woman's horrific ordeal galvanized Indians to demand greater protections against widespread sexual violence, and her death was expected to intensify public demands for action by the Indian government.
The victim who has not been identified, "passed away peacefully" with her family and officials of the Indian embassy by her side," said Kelvin Loh, the chief executive of Mount Elizabeth Hospital, where she had been treated since Thursday. "The Mount Elizabeth Hospital team of doctors, nurses and staff join her family in mourning her loss," he said in a statement.
The woman and a male friend were traveling in a public bus after watching a film on the evening of Dec. 16 when they were attacked by six men who took turns raping her. They also beat the couple and inserted an iron rod into her body resulting in severe organ damage. Both of them were then stripped and thrown off the bus, according to police.
The woman was airlifted to Singapore on Dec. 26 for specialist treatment, but she had remained in extremely critical condition, Loh said.
The victim had already undergone three abdominal operations before arriving in Singapore, where her condition on Thursday was described as "extremely critical."
Photos: Police try to temper outrage over gang rape
"Despite all efforts by a team of eight specialists in Mount Elizabeth Hospital to keep her stable, her condition continued to deteriorate over these two days," said Loh on Saturday. "She had suffered from severe organ failure following serious injuries to her body and brain. She was courageous in fighting for her life for so long against the odds but the trauma to her body was too severe for her to overcome."
Related video:
Rape ignites outrage
Protesters call for execution
The attack triggered nationwide protest over the lack of safety for women, culminating last weekend in pitched battles between police and protesters in the heart of the capital.
New Delhi has the highest number of sex crimes among India's major cities, with a rape reported on average every 18 hours, according to police figures. Government data show the number of reported rape cases in the country rose by nearly 17 percent between 2007 and 2011.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government seemed at first caught off guard by the reaction to the attack, which sparked a blame game between politicians and the police.
On Saturday he said that he was aware of the emotions the attack has stirred and that it was up to all Indians to ensure that the young woman's death will not have been in vain.
"These are perfectly understandable reactions from a young India and an India that genuinely desires change," Singh said in a statement. "It would be a true homage to her memory if we are able to channel these emotions and energies into a constructive course of action."
He said the government was examining the penalties for crimes such as rape "to enhance the safety and security of women."
Indian television channels said security had been tightened in New Delhi on Saturday in anticipation of more protests following the woman's death.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Protests continued across New Delhi, India, where around 500 people marched in response to the recent gang rape of a young woman. NBCNews.com's Dara Brown reports.
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Leave a Comment:
And tell me why we do so much business with these people, bring our jobs back home. If they treat women the way this article says I say scr3w them and stop allowing them into the U.S. and again I say bring our jobs back to the U.S.A.
absolutely right!
Because we are a country of capitalist and not a true country of principle, money takes priority over human rights, unless there is a serious political agenda. We see this in our own country, with rights of the elderly, people of color, children and families, as well as women, religion affiliations, and sexual preferences. It is sad this case and others that have gotten less press. Let us all pray for this women and all people who are persecuted and disenfranchised.
Oh gag. Please leave the politics aside. This was an act of pure evil. Evil is evil and is not a political party nor excused by "disinfranchisement", etc. etc.. The perpetrators deserve nothing less than death. There is no excuse.
Those men are all cowards
I am not sure I agree with you..... I think men or women can be opportunists and MAY act cawardly when they are caught red handed...
THOSE men are all cowards, not "all men are coward" - learn to read.
How about some women are caustic....
Whoever is responsible for this horrendous attack should be given a dose of their own medicine. Whatever atrocities were committed against this young woman should be done to the people responsible for the attacks. Turnabout is fair play.
The punishment should fit the crime, and doubly so in the case of rape.
The fiends who did this aren't men. They are psychotic animals. I can't think of a horrible enough punishment for them.
Agreed... except I think animals are more noble than anyone who'd victimize women and/or children.
ConX - I get your point, but many male animals will kill their offspring if the mothers don't protect them.
point taken
What is more important I think and should be of importance to us, is that these men were not hatched. The culture they are in promotes this predatory behavior. By the same token, I think we, as a country and society should as how we are soicalizing our children and what behaviors we are allowing for one another.
Human males also kill the offspring of other males - how many times do you read about a boyfriend who shook his girlfriend's baby to death, the baby often from another man.
Don't Give Whiskey to the Irish or the INDIANS!
McGusto, don't you have a real job?
Six scum men against one woman medical student. Not only is the act vicious and horrifying, but they have killed a young mind who wanted to help others.
The continuance of male violence around the world is disgusting! When will good men stand up against the continuation of men thinking it is fine to control and denigrate women? When do the majority of men actually grow up? That goes for American men as well as men in 3rd world countries.
Good men protect, nurture, and support women and children. Too many men just don't get it!
A P R ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, BLOW ME.
Any men who act this way are cowards. Once found guilty (fair trial) then immediate death.
My contention exactly. However, how do we get past the police and the system that tells us we must sit idly by and let the "justice system" handle it? Well, the justice system has long since failed to "handle it", as is obvious to anyone with a brain. The justice system is just another self-serving system that protects no one. However, it is time we put on our big boy britches. For one, I've had enough of trying to find my feminine side.
MCG, go to therapy, troll.
Precisely the response I would expect from McGusto. Have read him on many posts. He is a misogynistic wanna have a GED. Not even close to being a man.
Thank you ConX and Pray Hard. I am aware there are some real men in America - sadly, just not enough of you all.
APR,
And you are an angry man hating ignorant feminist who just wants to be angry at men for keeping you down, when its just your blind ignorance that does so.
Mr BURNS ,
You refer to feminism a lot . Most feminists are not man haters just trying to protect women's rights and a lot of men who do hate women tend to pick up on the feminist theme and decry them as man hating ,ect. You also use that word ignorant a lot . Do you know any other words ?
Clarice,
Have you heard of a grammatical instrument called a qualifier? Evidently not. I do not view all feminists in this way. I realize that feminists are simply for female rights. Im saying she is a man hating, ignorant feminist. As in, one of the feminists who meet this qualification. She has demonstrated herself to be a man hater through this post and others. I decry what happened to this poor woman (she just died btw), but Im tired of people like APR say that men are bad and too many are like this blah blah blah. She is willfully ignorant as to the number of men who are like this, and evidently, what many men try to do to prevent it. I would use other words besides ignorant, but it seems you can use this word and not get in trouble with msn. I'd rather just call her a moron, stupid, etc, but Ill probably get in trouble, and ignorant fits quite well. I dont hate all feminists, just the ones who give that word a bad name with them hating men, while decrying the hatred of women. It makes the rational feminists, many of whom Im friends with or are part of my family, seem crazy like her. Nice try, but rational thought into an argument, even one filled with colorful language would be nice on your end.
You can look up the word qualifier if you dont believe me. Do you know any other words?
I could say a lot about many of the responses; ignorance would be the least of what i would say. I won't do so, rather i prefer to state my own comment and opinion.
That the gang-rape could happen on public transportation with no one intervening; that the scum rapists felt no fear of raping and beating the woman and her companion in such a public place; and that the gov't and police were taken by surprise are all serious flaws in any society. I agree with the many here who have stated their hopes that her death will force change in attitudes. India is not the only society where women are treated so badly; we have all read about the 14 yrs old girl in Afghanistan who was beheaded because she turned down an marriage proposal, or the other girls of have suffed acid burns for the sin of going to school. Or the many other stories of oppression against females in Mexico, the many nations in Africa, the Philippines, China, etc., etc.....
There is one exception; I do wish to address Mr Burns' statements. Only a selfish, insecure coward would say such statements. This has little to do with "feminism" or other "grammatical" arguments you care to make. The attitude you have towards this story and the issues this story provokes in women (and men) is the same attitude that makes such a horrible crime "acceptable" is so many nations.
Okay, one more: I do not believe the (alleged) rapists should be put to death; even if deserved. I believe they should be passed around several different prisons for several years, then chopped into little tiny pieces, and buried alive!!!!! eh-hem.. just a thought....
When you have a disarmed population that expects the government to "take care of them" this animal behaviour will continue. Legalize the God given right of self defense and animals like this quickly die off or leave. The same thing is happening in europe as the muslims have organized gang rapes of christian women who are defenseless in the disarmed society of cowards.
A whole bus full of people stood by and watched, the driver did not even stop or hail a cop. Cowards all.
Men violating (especially sexual in nature) women, children, disabled, or the elderly are most certainly cowards. Can't think of any punishment that is appropriate enough for this type of scum.
I don't think there was a busload of people watching, but good way to slip in your own agenda. Apparently this wasn't a public bus...good try, though.
Uh yeah Ram, everyone on the bus turned away, including the rapists, when she was thrown off. What agenda are you talking about? Do you read? Maybe you don't comprehend what you read? Uh...good try, though.
The subjegation of women is more subtle here, but it is still here in the good old USA. Thankfully we are more evolved than some cultures but we still have a way to go before men and women are treated equally. I don't like the tone of some of the posts with regard to the people of India.
These people are animals and they need to be put down!! Death to them,all 6!!!
Guess Singh will be resigning soon? New Delhi sisters, keep us posted.
Rape is the tool of cowards. Anyone participating in this kind of behavior should be killed once found guilty. There is no place in society for this particular type of scum.
I can't even compare them to animals, due to the respect I have for animals. Filth like this need to be taken off of our planet.
I believe there was an article about a stable hand "male" who was arrested for sodomizing the horses. Yeah, he was caught in the act. Ewwwwww! So,even our own animals aren't even safe!
What about the men who are innocent, but found guilty, like the football player from earlier this year. Women lie about rape all the time. But yeah, lets kill more people. That'll solve something.
Mr. Burns << << << >> >> >> The men were NOT found guilty for the simple reason that they were NEVER charged, nor tried. The reason we know that they are innocent is that, from the get go, the investigators did what they were supposed to do and investigated the case. They found, on credible, air-tight evidence, the woman to have lied. Are you suggesting that they should have assumed from the beginning she was lying and not bothered to investigate at all?
I was adopted from India as an infant. I count my blessings everyday that I am in a better country. How sad and horrifying that women are treated like filth over there.
To those who committed this crime or others who does this, consider it happening to your love ones, how would you feel then? Animals rarely do this or ever but then again anyone in the grips of the devil are capable of doing things horrible to another human being.
Give all Indian women firearms, ammo, and a Hunter Safety class. Then open season on men in India. No tag, no bag limit.
Your scenario is not the ultimate fix to predatory behavior. However, I have to admit, that if the women decided to use their firearms, It may cause men to think twice. What would give the scenario real teeth is the instantaneous response of death of the antagonist, at the hands of the victim. I like the impression that would be made.
Doing the math - 365 days times 24 hours divided by 18 works out to just under 500 rapes a year in New Delhi - the US has between 83-85,000 reported rapes a year (thats just the reported ones). We talk about innocent lives in Newton being lost - EVERY rape involves an innocent life and yet I don't hear the left calling for more laws regarding rape, just gun control that involves only 10,000 homicides from guns - why don't our leaders get their priorities straight.
You know why you don't hear the "Left" calling for more laws regarding rape? Because the majority of them
are self absorbed men who do not care about women's rights. What more laws would you like to see on
the books regarding rape anyway? Are there not enough? Yet they still happen. No....the left needs
something that they can control, and taking guns away is easier for them. Notice how many more gun
stories are making it on the news! And each story has a bunch of Lefty bloggers behind it. But this
story has been already been taken off of he headlines...hmmmmmm....coincidence?
You are clueless on this topic, Unrealistic. You are saying something you don't know about regarding a whole group of men.
I'm clueless? What "group of men" am I saying something that I don't know about? Please do tell. I bet you think you're real cute calling me "unrealistic"? Really, no one that has disagreed with me before has done that. How clever you are!
One woman may have been the actual victim but all of us are victims when one woman is attacked like that. It is a statement to be listened to and responded to actively and promptly.
Almost 2,000 years ago, a beautiful young mathematician, Hypatia, was set on by a mob whipped up by the local bishop. She was flayed alive, her skin ripped off with clamshells. Her crime? Being a woman with a mind and beauty and a pagan. Her brutal death, this woman's attack, the attempt to kill Malala...all of a piece...intended to warn women to remain in the place the perpetrators think we belong -- naked, barefoot at home in bed waiting.
Actually she was killed just for being a pagan. Not for her beauty or for being a woman. Many men and women were killed for being pagans at the time. Not everything involves misogyny. No matter how much you want to paint history in that way.
The Indians need to consider implementing rape control.
Um....rape control? What's did you have in mind for the "MALE" population of India? I have a few ideas of "rape control" for them, but I think most would find them.....well.....inhumane.
What is wrong with the male species? I mean really...what the hell is wrong with men (cowards) all over this world?
With all the mass school shootings, raping women & children, bank robberies, murders, etc. Get some self control
already before we women decide you are not needed anymore!
You left out beating women and children either physically, emotionally, and mentally, or all three combined. Let's not forget abandonment of wives and children also.
Notice the divorce rate and the number of single moms in our own country. Sadly, real men are becoming extinct. We still have some, but not enough by any means.
Realistic and APR,
And you wonder why men are like this when we have fine examples of crazy women in yourselves???
Whats up with women killing many more of their children then men. Notice the divorce rate is normally initiated by women. Notice how they try to take as much as they can from the man, and tend to get the kids too. Notice how when a group of 6 men do something, and thousands of males protest it, emotionally disturbed people such as you fine ladies decide all men are evil. The reason you dont seem to find too many good men, is any man worth his salt would stay as far away from you two as possible.
I'm willing to bet the perpetrators were all Muslim.
nah. the nut-jobs of the Muzz. world like little boys.
Nope - they were all filthy Jews.
See how f'ing stupid that sounds? You don't know anything about these people - but never miss an opportunity to fly your bigot flag.
If societies would enforce the laws that exist already then this would happen less often. Or country has the same issues. We need thug control.
I mean, "Our Country". Not, "Or Country". Sorry.
The USA has no room to talk. We have let many rapist go unpunished. We who point fingers should clean up our own act first.
We don't care much what happens to others just ourselves. The death penalty should be brought back. Really you don't care about the victim just about the perp. God help anyone who kills the violator.
When do you get sick and tired of it. When it happens to you.
Who lets them go unpunished?
i havea a idea,how about we worrie about @!$%# that happens here in the usa,how about we worrie about how many people are on welfare or starving kids,or lack of jobs,or immigration problems,ya think the usa should worrie about its self ,and stop going to third world countrys trying to fix problems you cant,look how they live enough said.
The courts won't do a thing there; but I can't imagine her father, uncles, brothers, etc..won't grab these animals and torture them to death.
Q: why don't filthy creatures like these sub-humans just go into their bedrooms and rub one out? (sorry)
A: because they are just that - sub-human.
solution:
1. identify them
2. locate them
3. kill them where they stand
Unreal! do they prosecute people in these countries? Gang rapes on a bus and nobody tried to help, what was the bus driver doing, I guess he participated.