We want justice but can’t let bandhs disrupt our lives, say office-goers
Times of India | 29 August 2024
Kolkata: Several office-goers defied the bandh call and reached their workplace on time on Wednesday as it was a normal working day for them. But they pointed out that their decision to stay away from the strike was not a reflection of their stand on the real issue. They are still angry over the R G Kar incident and want justice for the rape-murder victim.
Monalisa Ghosh, who works at a private bank at Dalhousie, said: “The brutality of the incident had left me shattered and enraged. I am constantly thinking about the pain the victim had to undergo. Justice should be served and there should be measures to ensure women’s safety. For me, this bandh did not have any impact as I did not face any commuting problem. It was a normal working day.”
The Sector-V, New Town and Rajarhat IT hubs functioned normally and employees had no major problem in reaching their offices. With the number of buses relatively low, some had to wait for public vehicles but there were adequate autos and state buses. Life was usual on Wednesday for those with personal vehicles.
“Justice must be served for the heinous crime but that does not mean that we will not go to work. There was no disruption on the road as I went to my office in Dum Dum Motijheel from Salt Lake riding my bike without facing any problem,” said Kawshik Dutta, an insurance company official.
Private firm employee Tamal Pal added: “We all want justice for RG Kar but that does not mean that the work culture should be disrupted. I came to the office from Salt Lake to New Town and there was no trouble anywhere on my way.”
Lawyer and Howrah Maidan resident Upasana Munshi Karar took an app bike to reach her office at Minto Park. “I started a bit earlier than usual for my office as I was worried that there could be trouble but it was a smooth ride. As a mother of two daughters, I feel insecure about their future after the R G Kar incident and want punishment for the culprits. But at the same time, we have to carry on with our work and cannot let bandhs disrupt our daily life.”