KOLKATA: People from the UK, US, Ireland, Australia, Japan, and 22 other countries are joining the first global human chain against the brutal rape-murder of Kolkata doctor.
Activists and concerned citizens protesting the horrific rape and murder of a young doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 have organized demonstrations in 130 cities worldwide for Sunday evening. These protests come just hours before the Supreme Court is set to hear the case on Monday.
Protests will take place in 130 cities across 30 countries and six continents, all scheduled for 5 pm local time.
“It is incredible how people have come together from countries such as the UK, US, England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Czech Republic, Spain, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, and Taiwan. We will be joined in the first-ever global human chain,” said Dipti Jain, the global coordinator of the protest and a doctor from Calcutta National Medical College.
In Kolkata, events over the weekend will see street protests reaching their third peak, following significant protests on the nights of August 14 and September 4. Protesters are committed to maintaining pressure as the Supreme Court hearing approaches.
Efforts are also underway to galvanise support for a 16-km human chain stretching from the victim’s Sodepur residence to R G Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Monday also marks one month since the brutal crime, prompting a call to “reclaim the night” in various parts of the city. This initiative, led by researcher Rimjhim Sinha, who first issued the ‘Reclaim the Night’ call on August 14, aims to keep a vigilant presence on the streets the night before the Supreme Court hearing.
The movement received an unexpected boost from renowned historian Dipesh Chakrabarty, who has voiced his support for Sinha and the organisers of ‘Reclaim the Nights, Claim the Rights.’ Chakrabarty has agreed to mentor the activists in their pursuit of justice and the broader goal of ensuring women’s safety.
Joining Chakrabarty in this effort are economist and JNU professor Jean Dreze, Supreme Court lawyer Vrinda Grover, and Calcutta High Court lawyer Partha Sarathi Sengupta, who will guide the protesters in formulating demands for long-term societal policy changes, according to Sinha.
Sinha emphasised that since the Supreme Court hearing coincides with the one-month mark of the crime, the movement is calling for another night of protests starting at 11 pm on Sunday. “We are appealing to everyone—teachers, students, musicians, professionals—to come out on the streets with musical instruments, so we can wake those in power from their slumber with music and rhythm, just as Goopy Gyne woke the king from his sleep,” she said.
She also urged women who had participated in earlier night protests from various parts of the state to join forces and collaborate in forming a platform to push for women’s safety reforms.
Reiterating the principles of the “seize the night” initiative, Sinha stated, “From the very beginning, we made it clear that no party flags or representatives from parliamentary political parties are welcome. They have been in power for so long but have failed to protect us. This is not just Tilottama’s fight; it is the fight for a rape-free society.”
Sinha described the past month’s events as a new freedom struggle for women, symbolised by a viral poster of a red hand holding a crescent moon.
She told The Sunday Guardian that her determination to spend the night of August 14 outdoors was sparked by a remark from the medical college’s former principal, Sandip Ghosh, who allegedly questioned why the junior doctor had gone to the seminar hall alone.
“Such victim-blaming comments are unacceptable. No one can dictate who has a right to be out at night,” she said.
Sinha expressed surprise at the overwhelming response to her call, noting how thousands have taken to the streets. “I’m deeply moved by how many women have decided to come out of their homes, even if just for two or three hours at night,” she said.
Over the weekend, marches in the city aim to demonstrate public vigilance ahead of the Supreme Court proceedings. The Jadavpur Artist Forum and Artists for Humanity have organised an event on Sunday where citizens and artists will write and paint on a 5-km stretch from Garia to Jadavpur from 9 pm.
Additionally, rallies are scheduled from Phoolbagan to R G Kar and Kumartuli Art Gallery to Bagbazar Bata, along with protests at Shyambazar, Dhakuria, 8B, and Mandirtala from 8 pm to 10 pm on Sunday evening.