NEW DELHI: Thousands of women have come on the streets of West Bengal as part of “Reclaim the night” midnight protest in response to the brutal rape and murder of an on-duty doctor inside a Kolkata hospital last week.
The “Women, Reclaim the Night” call, initiated on social media by ordinary citizens, students, homemakers, and office employees, has garnered widespread support from nearly all sections of society.
The protesters have assemble at key locations in small towns and big cities, including various parts of Kolkata, coinciding with the nation’s Independence Day celebrations.
Additionally, the rallies will not allow political party flags, but groups representing marginal communities, such as the LGBTQ+, will be permitted to participate with their flags.
The Kolkata Metro Railway has announced additional trains in its north-south corridor to accommodate the anticipated movement of protesters and will keep all counters open for physical ticket purchases.
Rimjhim Sinha, who initiated the movement, stated in a Facebook post, “Tonight is the night of freedom of women of women inside and outside West Bengal. A new freedom struggle begins tonight.”
The protest has quickly expanded, with gatherings now planned in various towns and districts across Bengal. Initially, three locations were mentioned for the gathering in Kolkata: College Street, Academy of Fine Arts, and Jadavpur 8B Bus Stand. However, by Wednesday evening, the call for women to reclaim the night had spread to large pockets of Kolkata and its neighborhood, as well as places like Siliguri in north Bengal and Canning in the south.
Senior TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray expressed his solidarity with the protesters and condemned the alleged rape and murder of the doctor at R G Kar Hospital. He stated, “Today, I will sit on an individual dharna in front of the Netaji statue from 5 PM to 9 PM to register my protest and express my solidarity with women who will hit the streets tonight. Due to my age, I won’t be able to join them at midnight, but I offer my full support,” emphasizing his connection to the cause as a father and grandfather.
The “Women, Reclaim the Night” call, initiated on social media by ordinary citizens, students, homemakers, and office employees, has garnered widespread support from nearly all sections of society.
The protesters have assemble at key locations in small towns and big cities, including various parts of Kolkata, coinciding with the nation’s Independence Day celebrations.
Additionally, the rallies will not allow political party flags, but groups representing marginal communities, such as the LGBTQ+, will be permitted to participate with their flags.
The Kolkata Metro Railway has announced additional trains in its north-south corridor to accommodate the anticipated movement of protesters and will keep all counters open for physical ticket purchases.
Rimjhim Sinha, who initiated the movement, stated in a Facebook post, “Tonight is the night of freedom of women of women inside and outside West Bengal. A new freedom struggle begins tonight.”
The protest has quickly expanded, with gatherings now planned in various towns and districts across Bengal. Initially, three locations were mentioned for the gathering in Kolkata: College Street, Academy of Fine Arts, and Jadavpur 8B Bus Stand. However, by Wednesday evening, the call for women to reclaim the night had spread to large pockets of Kolkata and its neighborhood, as well as places like Siliguri in north Bengal and Canning in the south.
Senior TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray expressed his solidarity with the protesters and condemned the alleged rape and murder of the doctor at R G Kar Hospital. He stated, “Today, I will sit on an individual dharna in front of the Netaji statue from 5 PM to 9 PM to register my protest and express my solidarity with women who will hit the streets tonight. Due to my age, I won’t be able to join them at midnight, but I offer my full support,” emphasizing his connection to the cause as a father and grandfather.
