(This article was authored by Alar)

In the 2002 Gujarat riots, Bilkis Bano was the victim of gang rape, and eleven men were found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. All of them are currently out of prison, long before their parole period is up. "My faith in the judiciary has loosened," Bilkis Bano said in a statement. She was gang-raped by the newly-released gang, who also murdered her entire family of fourteen, including her 3 year-old toddler, Saleha.

Bilkis Bano, who has issued a statement through a lawyer, said, "Two days ago, the shock I felt 20 years ago came flooding back. I learned that 11 criminals who destroyed my family, my life, and kidnapped my 3-year-old daughter were now free to roam the streets. Since then, I've still felt numb. "

At the time of the alleged gang rape, Bilkis Bano was five months pregnant. She said "I can only say this at this time. Should a woman's justice come to this? I had faith in our nation's highest courts. I trusted our system. I gradually honed coping with my trauma during this time. But in addition to robbing me of my peace, the acquittal of the 11 alleged perpetrators has also made me question the fairness of the legal system. Not just because of me but for every woman who battles for equality, "

She pleaded even more vehemently, saying, "No one considered my safety and well-being before making this unfair decision." I'm asking the Gujarat government for this. Please revoke the release directive. Give me back the freedom and the right to live fearlessly in peace. Please make sure my family and I are safe. "

On May 8, 2017, the Bombay High Court upheld the convictions of eleven men for gang-raping Bilkis Bano and killing her family members during the Gujarat riots in 2002 and sentenced them to life in prison. Additionally, the riots left 1,044 people dead, 223 people missing, and 2,500 people injured, according to official statistics. The 2002 Gujarat riots, also known as the 2002 Gujarat violence, were a three-day intercommunal conflict that claimed 790 Muslim lives and 254 Hindu lives.