New Delhi: Family members of Tarun Butolia, the youth who was lynched during Holi, staged a protest at Ayyappa Park in south-west Delhi’s Uttam Nagar along with several other people, demanding strict punishment for the accused.A large number of residents, representatives of social organisations and youth attended the gathering, where they prayed for the peace of Tarun’s soul and expressed their condolences.Tarun’s uncle, Tek Chand Butolia, said people from all walks shared their views on the incident. However, everyone was united on one point: the accused must receive the strictest possible punishment.Surender Gupta, Delhi prant mantri of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), said that whenever injustice is done to any member of society, it becomes important for the community to stand united. He said the organisation would continue its effort to ensure justice is done and would persist until the accused are punished. Representatives of various social organisations and community members present at the meeting also stressed that unity is society’s greatest strength, adding that when people stand together against injustice, the path to justice becomes clearer.Security in the area was heightened by police. On Holi, an 11-year-old girl, who is Tarun’s relative, was playing on the terrace and threw a water balloon at her father standing below. The balloon reportedly fell on the road and splashed water on a woman of another community, which led to a quarrel.According to police, Tarun was returning on his bike when a group of 15-20 people allegedly assaulted him with rods, bricks and stones, leading to his death.Police have so far arrested 14 people.
