- By Mayukh Debnath
- Wed, 14 Aug 2024 11:55 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder: Three women-led protest marches are scheduled to hit the streets of Kolkata concurrently around midnight today in light of the alleged rape and murder of a female trainee doctor at the government-run RG Kar Medical College & Hospital in the city. Named "Reclaim The Night", the demonstrations aim to be in defiance of anti-social elements that are detrimental to the safety of females spanning all age groups.
The organisers of the proposed marches have described them as being "for women's independence on the midnight of independence". Several prominent personalities are also expected to join the mass protest, which is slated to be launched by different civil society groups from three different venues at 11:55 pm.
RECLAIM THE NIGHT PROTEST: DIFFERENCES WITHIN TMC
Interestingly enough, a senior Rajya Sabha MP belonging to West Bengal's ruling TMC has expressed his intent to participate in 'Reclaim The Night'. "Tomorrow I am going to join the protesters particularly because I’ve a daughter and little granddaughter like millions of Bengali families. We must rise to the occasion. Enough of cruelty against women. Let’s resist together. Come what may," TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray posted on X on Tuesday.
Tomorrow I am going to join the protesters particularly because I’ve a daughter and little granddaughter like millions of Bengali families. We must rise to the occasion. Enough of cruelty against women. Let’s resist together. Come what may.
— Sukhendu Sekhar Ray (@Sukhendusekhar) August 13, 2024
On the other hand, his party colleague Kunal Ghosh launched a scathing criticism against the proposed march. "Let there be protests on RG Kar issue. But do not participate in an event patronized indirectly by CPI(M) and BJP, whose regimes have been marred by several events of rape and murder." he was quoted as saying by news agency IANS.
He added, "The RG Kar incident is an isolated but horrific incident. The Left Parties and BJP are actually resorting to politics on the issue giving it an apolitical facade. So do not attend the event just to click selfies."
The TMC leader further said, "The number of women who will be attending their scheduled night duties will be more than the number attending the event." This came amidst widespread allegations from various quarters -- including protesting doctors and the BJP -- that the TMC was attempting to cover up the facts of the horrific case and shield the culprits.
(With inputs from IANS)