As India approaches its 78th Independence Day, women in West Bengal are set to reclaim the streets of Kolkata with a powerful nighttime protest.
Scheduled to begin at 11:55 pm on August 14, the campaign titled "Women, Reclaim the Night: The Night is Ours" will unfold at three primary locations: Jadavpur 8 B Stand, the Academy of Fine Arts, and College Street. The protest is a bold statement aimed at reclaiming public spaces and highlighting safety issues for women.
The campaign is an extension of nationwide protests sparked by the tragic murder and rape of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. The incident has ignited widespread outrage and calls for justice, with medical associations nationwide demanding accountability. The protests have garnered significant attention and solidarity from various sectors, including the medical community.
The poster for the Kolkata event, featuring the slogan "Freedom of the Night: For the Women, With the Women," was widely shared on social media by an MBBS student under the handle @epicnephrin_e. The poster reflects the grassroots nature of the protest and the growing involvement of young medicos and students.
In response to the incident, the Calcutta High Court has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry. Dr Sandip Ghosh, Principal of RG Kar, has resigned amid mounting pressure. Despite the ongoing protests by medical associations, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) has notably been absent from the demonstrations.
