No let-up in protests over Kolkata rape and murder; resident doctors open Abhaya Clinics

Protests in Kolkata demand justice for doctor's rape and murder, with prominent figures joining the movement

Three weeks after the rape and murder of a doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, there has been no let-up in the protests with thousands of people hitting the streets of Kolkata on Sunday (September 1, 2024) demanding justice for the victim. Several processions were brought out from north to south of the city which saw people from all walks of life, alumni of reputed educational institutions, including Ramakrishna Mission, and prominent faces of the Bengali film industry raising their voice against the gruesome crime.

Well-known filmmaker Aparna Sen, along with actors Swastika Mukherjee, Sudipta Chakraborty, Chaiti Ghosal and Sohini Sarkar, marched on the streets of the city demanding justice for the postgraduate trainee doctor whose body was found at the seminar room on August 9.

While similar rallies were held in Kolkata over the past three weeks, those rallying on Sunday (September 1, 2024) raised questions about the investigation in the crime and alleged cover-up. “Common people have the right to demand answers and know the truth. We have faith in the judiciary, and we are hopeful about the investigation,” Ms. Aparna Sen said. Ms. Swastika Mukherjee raised question on why after so many days there had been only one arrest.

The only person arrested in connection with the horrific crime so far is Sanjay Roy, a civic police volunteer, who was apprehended by the Kolkata police before the investigation in the case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The procession by the alumni of Ramakrishna Mission on Sunday (September 1, 2024) marched from Golpark to Rabindra Sadan Exide Crossing carrying banners with the message ‘Tamaso Maa Jyotirgamaya (Lead me from darkness to light)’. Hundreds of alumni of St. John’s Diocesan Girls’ Higher Secondary School also walked from Minto Park to the school compound before forming a human chain near Exide Crossing demanding justice for the victim.

Political parties both in the government and the Opposition also held protests on Sunday. The Bharatiya Janata Party has been holding demonstrations at the Esplanade area in the city, whereas the Trinamool Congress has called supporters to hold protests in every bloc demanding justice to the victim.

The Trinamool Congress government has urged the Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly to convene a special session in the next few days to pass legislation for provisions of capital punishment of those convicted of sexual assault.