Fatigue, politics, clashes take toll on citizens’ stir
Times of India | 30 August 2024
Kolkata: Citizens who had taken time out from their work, daily chores and studies to walk the streets and join the unprecedented movement to demand justice in the R G Kar rape-murder case are trying to reclaim the protest space that had been usurped by political parties and an amorphous group in the past two days. But many among them acknowledged that reviving the mass movement after Tuesday’s violent protests and Wednesday’s bandh was a challenge given the fatigue that is also setting in after continuous street rallies for over a fortnight.
“The 'Reclaim the Night' movement inspired lakhs to join the protests across the world. But what we have witnessed in the last two days has diluted the issue. Having said that, it is we who will have to strategize ways to keep the fight on so that justice is delivered,” said Institute of Development Studies assistant professor Anwesha Sengupta.
The primary challenge right from the very beginning was to protect the movement from getting a political colour. And that can happen only through people's spontaneous participation. “It is true that given how the protests were organised by the citizens, it would be difficult to sustain them for long. However, a number of social organisations are still organising movements to get justice. Though the situation was different over the last two days, from Thursday, a number of organisations have started organising protests again. I took part in the march from College Street to Shyambazar. There were three other marches that saw decent attendance. This is encouraging,” said social activist Saswati Ghosh.
Others felt the onus laid primarily on women to make the protest space safe again for the young and elderly to step out. “From the very beginning, this was an apolitical movement. The violence may have unnerved some. We have to reassure everyone that this is our space and we will not allow it to be usurped. We have given a call for a citizen's rally on Sunday where people from all walks of life will be present,” said JU student Anushna Das.
Transgender activist Ranjita Sinha didn’t think it necessary to rearrange gatherings because the demand was still the same. “The issue is not just a case of rape and murder but a system that needs to be changed so that everyone can breathe safely. People will not stop this time until justice is delivered,” said Sinha.
Most participants in the protests realise that the massive turnout during the initial days was a result of an outburst of pent-up anger. But they also acknowledge that more than a fortnight later, it is normal for emotions to subside. “It is we the citizens who have to keep mass movements going. We are connecting with different sections of society and trying to mobilise them,” said feminist activist Satabdi Das and one of the organisers of 'Reclaim the Night'.
Sociologist Sudeshna Basu Mukherjee is pleasantly surprised that the movement has lasted this long. “We have never seen such a display of agitations in Kolkata before. Let us see how long people can hold on to it, as it depends on the people’s perspective and their tenacity to sustain it. If the junior doctors who are at the core keep the movement going — not necessarily by staying off duty but by continuing to demand justice — people will rally behind them,” she felt.