Indian students shout slogans and demand severe punishment for rapists as they condemn the gang-rape of a student in New Delhi during a protest in Jammu, India, December 21, 2012.
Hundreds of protesters in India's capital have staged a demonstration to demand strong action against the six men accused of gang raping and torturing a 23-year-old woman, a crime that has sparked outrage across the country.
The demonstrators marched Friday in New Delhi to seek justice for the rape victim who has been hospitalized with severe genital and abdominal injuries since Sunday, the day of the rape.
A male friend of the woman tried to prevent the attack, but was beaten up by the assailants. Both victims were stripped and dumped on a road after the incident.
Police have arrested five of the six attackers.
On Thursday, an Indian think tank released a study revealing that 27 political candidates have been accused of raping women. The Association for Democratic Reforms did not, however, record how many of the accused have been found guilty.
Rape Protests Continue Across India
1/11An Indian protester shouts slogans as he is stopped by police during a protest against a recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, December 27, 2012.
Demonstrators across India urge the government to take steps to address crimes against women following the brutal gang-rape of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi.
2/11Indians protesting the recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, display a poster calling for death penalty for offenders at a rally in Kolkata, December 27, 2012.
Demonstrators across India urge the government to take steps to address crimes against women following the brutal gang-rape of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi.
3/11Police stand near barricades as they prepare to stop protesters on their way to India Gate while demonstrating against the gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, December 27, 2012.
Demonstrators across India urge the government to take steps to address crimes against women following the brutal gang-rape of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi.
4/11People participate in a candle light vigil for the recovery of the young victim of the recent brutal gang-rape in a bus in New Delhi, India, December 26, 2012.
Demonstrators across India urge the government to take steps to address crimes against women following the brutal gang-rape of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi.
5/11A woman is removed by Indian police while protesting against the brutal gang-rape of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi, India, December 25, 2012.
Demonstrators across India urge the government to take steps to address crimes against women following the brutal gang-rape of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi.
6/11Police and relatives carry the body of Subhash Tomar, a police man, during his funeral in New Delhi, December 25, 2012. Tomar died after he was injured during a protest over a gang rape in New Delhi.
Demonstrators across India urge the government to take steps to address crimes against women following the brutal gang-rape of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi.
7/11Members of the All India Democratic Students Organization (DSO) hold placards and shout slogans condemning the brutal gang rape of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi during a protest in Ahmadabad, India, December 24, 2012.
Demonstrators across India urge the government to take steps to address crimes against women following the brutal gang-rape of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi.
8/11Indian police use water cannons to push back protesters during a demonstration near the India Gate against the gang rape and brutal beating of a 23-year-old student on a bus last week, in New Delhi, India, December 23, 2012.
Demonstrators across India urge the government to take steps to address crimes against women following the brutal gang-rape of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi.
9/11An Indian man overwhelmed by tear gas lies on the ground during a protest in New Delhi, India, December 23, 2012.
Demonstrators across India urge the government to take steps to address crimes against women following the brutal gang-rape of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi.
10/11A demonstrator holds a placard in front of India Gate as she takes part in a protest rally organized by various women's organisations in New Delhi, India, December 21, 2012.
Demonstrators across India urge the government to take steps to address crimes against women following the brutal gang-rape of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi.
11/11People participate in a candlelight vigil for the fast recovery of a young woman as she fights for her life at a hospital after being brutally raped and tortured, in New Delhi, India, December 21, 2012.
Demonstrators across India urge the government to take steps to address crimes against women following the brutal gang-rape of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi.
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