Thousands of Indian Women Rally in Protest Following Rape and Murder of Junior Doctor
The trainee medic at a hospital in Kolkata was raped and murdered, sparking marches across India as thousands of women joined forces to ‘reclaim the night’.
Following the tragic incident where the 31-year-old medic was found dead after a long shift at R.G. Kar Medical College, marches took place in various cities across India.
In the wake of the attack, many women took to the streets on the night of Aug. 14/Aug.15, carrying candles and placards with messages of ‘reclaim the night’. This movement aimed to address the safety concerns women face in India after dark.
Actress Alia Bhatt voiced her concerns about the incident on her Instagram page, emphasizing the burden women bear in ensuring their own safety.
‘Reclaim the Night’ Protest
The protest saw women marching through cities like Kolkata, Delhi, and Mumbai, advocating for safer environments for women at night.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his concern about the safety of women in the country during a speech marking the nation’s independence anniversary.
While the marches were peaceful for the most part, a group of unidentified men vandalized the emergency department at R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata.
The investigation into the murder of the medic has been taken over by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), with calls for capital punishment from West Bengal’s chief minister, Mamata Banerjee.
Doctors Go on Strike in Protest
In response to the incident, junior doctors staged strikes at government hospitals, suspending all services except emergency responses to protest against the violence faced by medical professionals.
Violence against women in India has been on the rise, as indicated by data from the National Crime Records Bureau, prompting concerns and calls for action to address these issues.
The Kolkata incident brings back memories of the 2012 Delhi case, where a similar brutal attack led to nationwide protests against violence towards women.
Reuters contributed to this report.
