Rahul Gandhi thanks people who joined him in midnight candlelight march to demand justice for Kathua, Unnao rape victims

"Thousands of men and women stood up to be counted in the battle for justice and to protest the rising acts of violence against girls and women. I thank each and every one of you for your support. It shall not be in vain," Gandhi tweeted.

Gandhi led a candle light march in the nation capital which was also joined by his sister Priyanka Vadra.

Speaking on the issue, Gandhi said: "This is a matter about the safety of women in this country. This is not a political issue. This is an issue of national importance.The government should do something to ensurer safety of women in the nation."

Earlier, he had tweeted: "Like millions of Indians my heart hurts tonight. India simply cannot continue to treat its women the way it does. Join me in a silent, peaceful, candlelight vigil at India Gate at midnight tonight to protest this violence and demand justice."

Several top Congress leaders, including  Ghulam Nabi Azad, took part in the march to the India Gate at the heart of the national capital.

On Thursday, Gandhi had condemned the two alleged rape incidents that have left the nation shocked.

"How can anyone protect the culprits of such evil? What happened to Asifa at #Kathua is a crime against humanity. It cannot go unpunished. What have we become if we allow politics to interfere with such unimaginable brutality perpetrated on an innocent child?," he had tweeted.

Shocking the nation,the minor was held captive by the accused at a temple and later she was raped, mutilated and murdered in Rassana village of Kathua, months ago, crime branch of Jammu and Kashmir police stated.

The victim has been identified as 8-year-old Asifa.

Alleged rape of a minor in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao has also left the country condemning the incident.

Image: Congress.Rahul Gandhi Twitter page