In a powerful display of solidarity and defiance, tens of thousands of women in West Bengal state took to the streets on Wednesday night to protest against the heinous rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a state-run hospital in Kolkata. The Reclaim the Night march, sparked by the brutal killing of the 31-year-old doctor, culminated in a night of fervent protests and calls for justice.
The young doctor had fallen asleep in a seminar room after a gruelling 36-hour shift, only to be found the next morning with extensive injuries. A hospital volunteer worker has been arrested in connection with the crime, but accusations of cover-up and negligence have fueled the anger of the protestors.
Women from all walks of life, joined by men, marched through the streets of Kolkata, holding flaming torches and candles, their faces illuminated by the glow of mobile phones and torches. The air echoed with chants of “we want justice” as the protesters braved the rain and marched resolutely through the night.
The protests, fueled by frustration and rage, have highlighted the ongoing issues of workplace harassment and violence against women. The march, meticulously organized despite scant resources, welcomed people from marginalized sexual and gender identities, with men invited as allies and observers.
Inspired by similar marches around the world, the Reclaim the Night march in Kolkata stands as the largest yet, with smaller protests held in cities like Mumbai and Delhi. The protesters are determined to make their voices heard and demand accountability from the authorities.
“We seized the night. We’ve never seen anything like this in the city. This is unprecedented. I hope it wakes up the authorities,” said Chaitali Sen, a protester, encapsulating the spirit of the night of protest and defiance.
