Marchers, torches converge at Shyambazar in rally for justice
Times of India | 21 September 2024
123 Kolkata: Thousands took part in the torch march on Friday seeking justice for the RG Kar rape-murder victim and in solidarity with the junior doctors’ protest. The rally reverberated with slogans that opposed the ingrained patriarchy, the deep-rooted misogyny and demanded dire need for safe spaces for women at work places and on streets.
The march covered 42 kms from Hiland Park to Shyambazar via Ruby crossing, Science City, Chingrighata, Beleghata, NRS Hospital, Calcutta National Medical College, SSKM and Medical College.For the first time, multiple forums from all sectors and sections of society came under one umbrella — ‘Joint Democratic Front’ — to strengthen the movement for justice.
“The horrific incident at RG Kar and the subsequent events in the next three to four hours have shaken all of us. The fire of rebellion is burning in everyone’s heart. The torch represents rebellion and people will traverse multiple paths with that torch seeking justice and protesting against the systemic corruption,” said chest physician Arindam Roychoudhury, one of the main organisers of the march.
The rally, which started with 500 people from Highland Park, swelled to 2,000 at Ruby as many people assembled at nodal points joined the rally. The torch-bearers handed over the torch, signifying the people’s relentless spirit, at specific points.
Soumyadip Maity from IT Workers’ Association, who joined the rally at Science City, said: “More than 150 IT employees joined the rally because we feel that it is important to raise our voice unitedly to keep the momentum of this apolitical protest going.” Dhritiman Sengupta from South Kolkata Schools Alumni Collective said: “Some of the South Kolkata alumni were present at Highland Park and Ruby. Majority of us were at the SSKM nodal point. This initiative will help us to spread the message that we all are united till justice is delivered and the culprits are punished.”
Rimjhim Sinha, who had initiated the ‘Reclaim the Night’ movement, joined the rally from Ruby crossing. “We will have to keep the movement going till justice for Tilottama is delivered. We will also have to fight for the structural reforms in society so that the patriarchal mindset can be changed.” Gender rights activist Satabdi Das joined the rally from Science City. She shared that it was important that such agitations were held so that the focus of the case is not shifted and there is a fast trial.
CNMC senior resident doctor Ambarish Ray said: “The junior doctors have been at the forefront of the movement but the cause has received immense support because a young doctor was raped and murder at her work place. It can happen to any one of us. Therefore, it is no longer a junior doctors’ protest but a citizens’ movement for justice.” Film director Birsa Dasgupta from Amra Tilottama group joined the march on its last lap from College Street to Shyambazar. “The torch rally signifies the journey towards light from darkness as it marks thousands of citizens raising voices for justice and a corruption-free society. This is probably the first time that so many common people are coming to the streets for a common cause,” added Dasgupta.
Presidency University alumni and East Bengal fan Suchetana Bandyopadhyay, who joined from Chingrighata and then again from College Street, felt this torch rally was serving as an unifying factor among all sections of society. Alumni of Bagbazar Multipurpose Girls School Soma Choudhury said, “Around 25 former students of our school joined the rally from Hatibagan and carried the torch till Shyambazar.”