The young woman and a male companion were attacked when they got into an off-duty bus in south Delhi to go back home.
The six men, including the bus driver, took turns to rape her and beat her with an iron bar which they also inserted in her body causing severe injuries to her organs.
Protesters and politicians from across the spectrum called for a special session of Parliament to pass new laws to increase punishments for rapists—including possible chemical castration—and to set up fast-track courts to deal with rape cases within 90 days.
Thousands of Indians have lit candles, held prayer meetings and marched through various cities and towns to express their grief and demand stronger protection for women and the death penalty for rape, which is now punishable by a maximum of life imprisonment. The protests continued on Tuesday.
On Monday, the Indian army and navy canceled their New Year's Eve celebrations, as did Sonia Gandhi, the Congress president. Several hotels and clubs across the capital also did not hold their usual parties.
