Anger unites gated communities with rallies & lights-out protests
Times of India | 6 September 2024
Kolkata: Thousands of residents of gated communities across the city — from Joka to Rajarhat and from Kalikapur to Howrah — were united in their protest against the RG Kar rape-murder. Complexes switched off lights and took out processions inside and outside the premises on Wednesday night.
At South City, more than 400 flats switched off lights at 9 pm and several hundred residents gathered at the grounds holding candles or flashing mobile torches.“The rally within the complex was primarily led by resident doctors and elderly women. Many women joined the march with their children. People who would typically never engage in such rallies were out on the streets. It wasn’t just about showing our support but also about making sure this injustice is never forgotten. We want to hold those in power accountable,” said Manoj Gupta, a resident of the complex.
Sameer Sharma of Newtown Heights Complex said they even turned off the lights in the common facilities, like the pool, club, tennis court and garden. “We have approximately 650 occupied flats and almost everyone switched off their lights and participated in the protest march. We’ve been consistently participating in all protest programmes since the night of Aug 14.”
At Silver Spring off Bypass, residents said they had been regularly holding silent candle light marches within and around the complex and had also joined the rallies on Thursday. “We came together at the fountain area for a candlelight march. The silent march was a powerful display of our community’s unity against violence, standing firmly with the victim’s family during their darkest hour.”
Residents of nine complexes in Rajarhat and New Town joined hands to organise a larger protest march as they took out a rally comprising over 2,000 residents from Derozio College till Mangaldeep crossing in New Town.
“Residents from complexes, like Ideal Enclave, Greenfield Ambition, Sunny Fort and others, gathered to show their solidarity. We came out with banners and National Flags and led a silent march seeking justice,” said Manav Mehra, a senior functionary of Siddha Pines complex in Rajarhat.