Tens of thousands of women took to the streets of Kolkata, India on Wednesday night in an unprecedented demonstration following the rape and murder of a young doctor.
According to BBC, the “Reclaim the Night” march saw women from all walks of life protesting against violence and demanding justice.
The protests were sparked by the brutal killing of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at a state-run hospital in Kolkata last Friday.
The victim had fallen asleep in a seminar room after a gruelling 36-hour shift due to lack of proper rest facilities. Her body was discovered the next morning, bearing signs of assault.
A participant in the march, Sanchari Mukherjee, described the scene: “I saw an elderly couple, the husband helping the woman to walk. One family brought their little girl along, perhaps so the memory of this event would be etched in her mind – how her parents stood up against injustice, and how she, too, can protest one day.”
The protesters’ determination was palpable. One woman, who joined the march with her teenage daughter, stated: “Let her see whether a mass protest can set things right. Let her become aware of her rights.”
The frustration over women’s safety in India was evident in the words of another protester who exclaimed: “Women have no respect! Our worth is less than cows and goats.”
A student at the march posed a poignant question: “When do we get our independence? How long do we have to wait to work without fear? Another 50 years?”
Despite the rain, the protesters persevered. Chaitali Sen, another participant, summarized the night’s significance: “We seized the night. We’ve never seen anything like this in the city. This is unprecedented. I hope it wakes up the authorities.”
The case has been transferred to India’s Central Bureau of Investigation amid accusations of negligence and cover-up by local authorities.
As India marked 77 years of independence, these protests highlight the ongoing struggle for women’s safety and equality in the country.
