On I-Day eve, women seek freedom from fear, hit the streets to reclaim the night
Times of India | 15 August 2024
123456 Kolkata: Lakhs of women participated in numerous demonstrations across Kolkata, Salt Lake, other districts, cities and countries, including Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Patna, Silchar, Poland, Scotland, Munich, London, Leeds and Atlanta, vociferously seeking justice for the victim of the heinous crime at RG Kar.
The rallies reverberated with slogans like “the night is ours” and “meyera, raat dokhol koro,” as women united to reclaim their right to safety and security during the night and sought freedom from fear with demands like secure all-night transport system for women and marginalized gender and safe resting rooms for professionals working at night.
Researcher Rimjhim Sinha had given the call to reclaim the night. “When we celebrate the independence of the country, I would like to celebrate my independence as a woman and reclaim what is ours — the city, night, public space that patriarchal forces would rather throw us out of,” she said.
Presidency student Avinanda Ghatak feels, “It is important we stake our claim to the night.” Theatre worker Pritha Banerjee said, “The nature of crime is such that I can’t call myself a human if I don’t go out on the streets and demand that justice be served soon.” Payel Saha Dutta said, “We felt the need to protest to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.”
CP Vineet Goyal, who held a meeting, said there were enough cops on the ground at night. Police arrangements were intensified for night and special instructions were given to deploy woman cops.