Following is the text of the statement of the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee on rape of five year old in Delhi:
"I am shocked and deeply anguished at the latest incident of sexual assault and rape of a five year old child in Delhi.
I join her family in praying for a speedy recovery and call upon concerned authorities to ensure the best possible medical attention for her.
Urgent steps must be taken to bring the perpetrators to immediate justice.
As a society, we must introspect at the erosion of values and our repeated failure to ensure the security of our women and children. We must identify the causes and find solutions for such criminal depravity in our midst.
Let us pledge to put all our energy and effort into ensuring that such aberrations which stain our moral fibre and standing as a society is prevented”.
This release issued at 1130 hrs