Kolkata RG Kar horror: Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australia join global protests to express solidarity
Times of India | 18 August 2024
(Clockwise from top left) Bongodyut’s silent protest at Granville Futsal court in Sydney; the Indian community in Hamburg gathers at Jungfernstieg, Hamburg; Dhaka University students at a protest rally KOLKATA: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has condemned the "brutal act of violence" at R G Kar and expressed solidarity with "the victim's family during the difficult times". The organisation has urged the World Medical Association to intervene and ensure that the culprits are apprehended and justice is served. "It is imperative that the international medical community comes together to condemn such atrocities and work towards creating a safer environment for healthcare professionals worldwide," the PMA said in a release.
Around 10 pm on Friday, a protest was organised at Dhaka University. Thousands marched under the banner 'Awaaz Tolo Nari' (Raise Your Voice, Women). Protesters gathered at the foot of the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture at Dhaka University and expressed their solidarity for rape victims across the world. Doctor-turned-actor Azmeri Haque Badhon, who attended the march said: "The situation in my country was tense and hence, it took a day's time for me to react to this barbaric R G Kar incident."
A silent protest was held at Granville Futsal court by the Bongodyut organisation of Sydney. "People from Sydney want to send a message to those in Kolkata that whatever happens we will always support and do as much as possible until justice is served," said Judhyajit Choudhury, a Sydney-based doctor.
An independent group of members of Hamburg's Bengali community organized a protest on Saturday at Jungfernstieg. Trishita Banerjee, a software professional and key co-ordinator of the event said, "We want to show solidarity with our city and the women of Kolkata. Justice must be served, and no cover-up by any authority should be entertained." Similar protests took place in Cologne, Dusseldorf, Munich, Stuttgart and Erlangen. Members of Bengali community Soikot in Tampa, Florida, are preparing for a protest rally on Sunday. "We plan to organize similar protest rallies till the culprits are apprehended and brought to justice," said software engineer Jyoti Sarkar.