‘Reclaim the Night’ Demonstration by Women Across Bengal Against Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder

Kolkata: Accepting the call of the ‘Reclaim the Night’ campaign, thousands of women from all walks of life held protests on roads across West Bengal at midnight on Wednesday. They were protesting against the ghastly rape-murder of a doctor on duty at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata a week back.

This unique demonstration by women started at 11:55 pm coinciding with Independence Day celebrations. It was observed in both small towns and big cities. Women took up this demonstration at several landmarks in Kolkata.

But during the protests, a group of hooligans forcively entered the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, and reportedly ransacked the crime scene, where the female doctor was raped and killed.

At Mandirtala in Howrah district, the scene of unrest continued as protestors seized control of a stage set up by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for its ‘Freedom at Midnight’ celebrations.

Political party flags were banned during these demonstrations. But flags from marginalised communities, such as LGBTQ+ groups, were proudly displayed.

In Kolkata, around 8000 women with candles in their hands gathered up at Biswa Bangla Gate in New Town. Crowds gathered from Jadavpur 8B Bus Stand to College Square, from Naktala Nabapally to New Town Biswa Bangla Gate, from Behala Sakher Bazar to Shyambazar Five Point crossing, from Academy of Fine Arts to Nagerbazar, among others.

Similar demonstrations were seen in Sreerampore, Chunchura, Santiniketan, Krishnanagar, Bardhaman, Siliguri, Barasat, Barrackpore, Rajarhat-Newtown, Cooch Behar, and Jalpaiguri.