Midnight March: West Bengal Women Reclaim the Night in Protest of Doctor's Rape-Murder

Thousands of women in West Bengal participated in a midnight protest following the rape-murder of a Kolkata hospital doctor. Initiated by the 'Reclaim the Night' campaign, the movement gained traction, resulting in protests across various cities and towns. Despite some violence, the march highlighted the demand for justice and an end to violence against women.

Thousands of women from across West Bengal took to the streets at midnight on Wednesday to protest the horrific rape-murder of a doctor on duty at a Kolkata hospital last week.

The 'Reclaim the Night' campaign, propelled by social media, saw protests begin at 11:55 pm, coinciding with Independence Day celebrations, spreading across both small towns and large cities, including multiple landmarks in Kolkata.

Violence marked some of the protests. At RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, outside forces entered the premises, vandalising property and attacking media personnel. Meanwhile, in Howrah, protestors hijacked a stage set up for the TMC's 'Freedom at Midnight' event, turning it into a platform for their demands.

The streets resonated with chants of 'We Want Justice' as women from all walks of life - students, professionals, and homemakers - united to demand accountability and an end to violence against women.

Political party flags were banned; however, flags from marginalised communities, such as LGBTQ+ groups, were prominently displayed. Rimjhim Sinha, the movement's initiator, described the event as a new freedom struggle for women.

The protest spirit was palpable in Kolkata, with about 8,000 people lighting candles at Biswa Bangla Gate in New Town. Across the state, similar scenes unfolded in numerous towns and districts, from Sealdah station to Diamond Harbour, where women sang Tagore's 'Aguner Parashmani' in unison.

Men also joined the protests, standing in solidarity with women to demand justice. Actor Rituparna Sengupta voiced her support via a video message, calling for assurance that such violence would never happen again.

(With inputs from agencies.)