Kolkata: Throughout the length and breath of Kolkata, tens of thousands of people poured into the streets for a second night vigil on Wednesday (Sept 4) to demand justice for the rape and murder victim of a trainee doctor last month in the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
From the Shyambazar five-point crossing in the north to the Jadavpur 8B bus depot in the south, people sang, danced, performed and shouted one slogan- ‘We want justice’. This time directed as much to the political classes and the investigating agencies as the judiciary.Undeterred by the crucial September 5 hearing in the Supreme Court being cancelled, the clamour for justice for the RG Kar rape-murder victim grew louder at the night vigil in Kolkata and neighbouring districts on Wednesday.
The vigil was also meant to keep the eyes on the Supreme Court hearing of the case amid a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.
The first night vigil was held on the intervening night of August 14 and 15 when hundreds of thousands of people gathered at various streets ‘reclaiming the night’.
In the second night vigil on Wednesday, people across Kolkata switched off their lights and lit candles either at home or outside before they hit the streets.
The parents of the victim came down to RG Kar Hospital where they lit candles along with several other junior doctors, who are on ceasework since the shocking crime, which took place on the intervening night of August 8 and 9, was discovered.
Like every location, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of Kolkata’s Academy of Fine Arts and held candlelight vigil to protest the brutal rape and murder.
In Jadavpur, crowds were led by groups of young students as much as their seniors. Many of them study in the Jadavpur University, known for its frequent political protests and anti-establishment fervour.
From the various revolutionary and national songs of India to the Bengali version of famous tunes of American singer Harry Belafonte and Bella Ciao, which was a popular anti-fascist anthem during World War II before it was revisited by the present generation in the popular Netflix thriller Money Heist, the ambiance was electrifying in Jadavpur.
Between songs and recitations, the chants of “We Want Justice” rent the air as protesters sported various placards and banners slamming the state government and the Kolkata Police for allegedly tampering with evidence. The protesters said they are keeping watch on the Supreme Court proceedings, indicating that even the judiciary in this case is under their scanner.
Crowd also demanded a quantum of punishment for Sandip Ghosh, ex-principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital who has been arrested by the CBI in connection with alleged corruption and irregularities in the state government-run hospital.
One of the agitators told IBNS, “We have only one demand. That is justice for the sister we lost at RG Kar.”
“The CBI should arrest all people involved in this heinous crime. Our movement will continue until justice is served,” she added.
The night vigil had its own share of aberrations as in some places celebrities like actress Rituparna Sengupta, who was earlier trolled on social media for her way of blowing a conch shell to express anger, were asked to go back amid scuffles.
The Supreme Court of India will not be hearing the suo motu case over the RG Kar rape and murder case on Thursday as per the schedule, an official notice stated this evening.
The hearing was cancelled as Chief Justice DY Chandrachud will not be holding the court on Thursday.
The announcement is a disappointment to the junior doctors and protesters, who had been waiting with bated breath and expecting justice for the victim of the brutal rape and murder that took place at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The official notice released by the apex court, reads, “Hon’ble the Chief Justice of India will not be holding the Court on 05.09.2024 (Thursday). Hence, sitting of Chief Justice’s Court comprising Hon’ble the Chief Justice, Hon’ble Mr. Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Manoj Misra stands cancelled and the matters listed before this Bench will not be taken up for hearing.”
It is, however, not yet announced when the hearing will be scheduled.
