Marching through the storm: ‘Hum Auratein Aazad Hain’ echoes across Delhi University

NEW DELHI: First came the slogans. Then came the rain. Umbrellas shot open across the crowd, handwritten placards were pulled closer and some students tried to shield their posters from the sudden downpour.But no one appeared to be going anywhere. If anything, the rain seemed to turn up the volume. "Hum leke rahenge aazadi," the women roared, their voices carrying through a rain-soaked North Campus as they continued walking.At 3pm Monday, Delhi University's Faculty of Arts became the starting point for another assertion by women that safety cannot come at the cost of their freedom. Under the banner 'Hum Auratein Aazad Hain', women from various colleges and members of the queer community gathered at Gate No. 7 before marching towards the Faculty of Arts gate opposite Daulat Ram College.