Kolkata News: In the wake of the horrific rape and murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, a human chain stretching 15 kilometres was formed from Kolkata to North 24 Parganas, with thousands participating in the demonstration on Sunday. This chain extended from Shyambazar near RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to Sodpur, the residence of the victim. Many participants carried placards reading “We Want Justice” as they rallied.

VIDEO | Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: People form human chain in Kolkata, demanding justice for victim. #KolkataDoctorDeath

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/1NkxgNhDK7

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 8, 2024

Large scale human chain protest today by citizens at Kolkata’s heart of Esplanade. An overwhelming support was seen from the locals in the area. pic.twitter.com/HADVhKcoJR

— Sudhanidhi Bandyopadhyay (@SudhanidhiB) September 8, 2024

Previously, members of the West Bengal Service Doctors Forum had staged a rally from Sealdah Station to the Raj Bhavan in protest against the alleged rape and murder of the female doctor at a government hospital. About 200 activists, including doctors and nursing staff, took part in the two-kilometre procession, calling for intervention from Governor CV Anand Bose.

Nurse Seema Das, who participated in the protest, remarked, “Despite the passage of so many days, there has been no progress in the investigation of this heinous incident.”

Due to the imposition of prohibitory orders and the rally being halted near the Raj Bhavan, a five-member delegation entered the premises to submit a memorandum. However, as the Governor was not present, his office accepted the memorandum. A spokesperson for the Forum expressed disappointment, stating, “It is unfortunate that despite prior notice of our arrival, the Governor was not present. The entire state and the nation want the culprits to be identified and punished. As the constitutional head of the state, we urge the Governor to use his privilege to expedite the investigation.”

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Mass Protests Continue Across Kolkata Demanding Justice For RG Kar Rape And Murder Victim

People from diverse backgrounds took to the streets of Kolkata on Sunday, continuing their protests over the rape and murder of the medic at a state-run hospital last month. The victim, a post-graduate trainee, was found dead at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

#WATCH | West Bengal | People hold protest over RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape-murder incident at Raja Bazar, Kolkata pic.twitter.com/0SYHNLBgfk

— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2024

Hundreds of junior doctors from state-run NRS Hospital marched from Sealdah to Esplanade. At the rally’s end in Esplanade, the victim’s mother expressed her anguish, “Whenever I think about the torment, the pain experienced by my daughter on that night, I shudder. She had dreams to serve society. Now, all these protesters are my children”, news agency PTI reported.

At RG Kar Hospital, junior doctors formed a human chain at 5 pm, singing the national anthem while holding the tricolour. They were joined by other citizens near a stage set up by left organisations SFI and DYFI.

In south Kolkata, approximately 4,000 former students from over 40 schools, many of them women, marched 2 km from Rash Behari Avenue to the crossing of Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Road. Among the participants were ex-students from institutions like Binodini Girls School, Mitra Institution, Garfa High School, Carmel High School, and St John’s Diocesan. They chanted “We Want Justice” and sang the iconic composition of rebel poet Kaji Nazrul Islam: “Destroy the iron gates of prison” (Karar oi louho kopat, bhenge phel korre lopat).

Garima Ghosh, a key organiser, emphasised that the protest not only sought justice for the victim, symbolically named Abhaya, but also demanded safer workplaces for women. “Apart from the main demand—punishment for all those involved in the brutal attack-murder of Abhaya—we seek safety of women in all workplaces,” she said, as quoted by PTI.

Around 100 hand-pulled rickshaw drivers rallied from Hedua Park to College Square in north Kolkata. Rameshwa Shaw, a rickshaw puller from Darbhanga in Bihar, stated, “We demand justice for Abhaya—who is our daughter.”

#WATCH | West Bengal | Rickshaw pullers in Kolkata hold protest against the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape-murder incident pic.twitter.com/FTNepQrmuE

— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2024

In another demonstration, clay modellers from Kumartuli in north Kolkata marched along Rabindra Sarani to Shyambazar five-point crossing, with a girl dressed as Goddess Durga leading the procession. Singing Arijit Singh’s song ‘Aar kabe’ (how long) in solidarity with sexually violated women, the protesters held placards demanding a speedy investigation and justice. Sculptor Sanatan Dinda and singer Lagnajita also joined the rally. Dinda declared, “One month has passed, but the fire within us will rage on till the culprits are flushed.” Lagnajita added, “We will not rest till our sister gets justice. We will peacefully protest even if it lasts for months.”

In south Kolkata’s Hazra crossing, several members of the Bengali entertainment industry staged a sit-in, demanding justice for the deceased medic. They marched from Tollygunge to Hazra, covering a distance of over 2 km.

VIDEO | Kolkata rape-murder case: Celebrities hold a protest march in Tollygunge, demanding justice for victim.

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/Gz3h5YSJ1m

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 8, 2024

Protests were also held in other parts of West Bengal. In Naihati, North 24 Parganas district, a scuffle broke out when a group allegedly associated with the ruling Trinamool Congress intervened. The group accused the protesters of blocking Ghospara Road, leading to the destruction of a loudspeaker and clashes with some participants, PTI reported. The police intervened to restore order.

Thousands are expected to join the third edition of the ‘Reclaim the Night’ campaign at midnight on Sunday, following previous gatherings on August 14 and September 4.

(With Inputs By PTI)