Kolkata doctor death case: Independence Day-eve protest not a one-off event, vow citizens
Times of India | 17 August 2024
Thousands across gender and age groups hit the streets, including at Jadavpur (in pic), on Wednesday night KOLKATA: The massive protests on the eve of Independence Day across the city by multitudes of women, with slogans "the night is ours" and "meyera, raat dokhol koro", is not a one-off event to seek justice for the victim of the heinous crime at RG Kar Hospital and to reclaim their right to safety and security at night. Thousands of citizens from all walks of life and across gender and age groups took to the streets on Wednesday night to oppose the deep-rooted patriarchal mindset and day-to-day sexism, and vowed to continue the fight for safe spaces for women and other marginalized gender communities. Top Picks For YouKolkata doctor death: Who is Sanjay Roy? Civic volunteer arrested in RG Kar Hospital rape-murder caseKolkata doctor rape-murder: Post-mortem report highlights brutal assault, confirms multiple injuries, signs of struggle
More such protests are being organized by citizens in different parts of the city - College Square, Academy of Fine Arts, Sinthee and Ultadanga - demanding not only justice for the victim but also to ensure the basic right to safety for women, queer and trans people.
Researcher Rimjhim Sinha, who first gave the call for the 'Reclaim the Night' movement after the RG Kar incident, said it is overwhelming that similar protests for justice and basic rights are being organized elsewhere in different pockets of the city too.
"Apart from speedy justice for the victim, our demands - like a secure all-night transport system for working women and marginalized gender communities, assignment of safe and secure resting rooms for all professionals working at night and inclusion of gender equality in school curriculum - can pave the path for change in the patriarchal mindset. We will soon write to the state govt to bring about these changes for safety and security at night," Sinha said.
IT professional Shaoli Banerjee said, "I do not have a political affiliation and have never been to a rally before. But I had to respond to the honest and genuine call that Rimjhim gave for a just cause. Staying back in my comfort zone would have been selfish. That's why I joined the protest in Garia. My husband came along with me. In future, I will again stay up all night to join a rally to step up my demand for justice and women's safety."
For 61-year-old Chaitali Tarafder, it was the first experience of being part of a protest on Wednesday night at College Street to seek justice for the rape-and-murder victim. "There is always an inherent fear of the night and empty spaces that daunt women, thereby limiting mobility and possibilities. It is high time that we address the issues and demand our rights for secure public spaces for women at night," Tarafder said.
Assistant professor of Institute of Development Studies, Kolkata, Anwesha Sengupta took part in the demonstration at Karunamoyee. "I am hopeful that more such demonstrations and gatherings will open up conversations to address day-to-day sexism in work spaces and homes, and help us bring about a change in the society."
Parenting consultant Payel Ghosh, who went to the protest in Lake Town, said, "I used to think that my city is safe for women at night but the rape-murder of a doctor at her work space has shaken me. The movement for ensuring safe and secure work places and public spaces for our daughters at night should continue till there is a structural change."
A management student, Ritwik Thakur flew in from Indore on Wednesday to stand with the doctors and demand justice for the victim.