The Struggle for Safety: Kolkata’s Women March for Justice as Mob Wreaks Havoc

On Independence Day Eve 2024, while women marched unitedly in a show of strength and solidarity across West Bengal, chaos unfolded at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital as a mob vandalized the emergency building!

On the eve of India’s Independence Day, August 14, 2024, the streets of West Bengal witnessed a powerful movement led by women, symbolizing both the resilience and the fight for safety that still eludes many. This night was different, marked by the convergence of history and the harsh reality of present-day India. While women marched in solidarity to reclaim their right to be safe at night, a shocking wave of violence erupted at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, overshadowing the hope of reclaiming freedom for women across Bengal.

The Horrific Incident that Sparked the ‘Reclaim the Night’ Movement

The horrifying incident that initiated the ‘Reclaim the Night’ protests was the rape and murder of a young doctor inside the seminar hall of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024. The brutality of the crime sent shockwaves throughout Bengal, prompting an outcry for justice and an end to violence against women. The fact that such a horrific act occurred within the walls of a hospital—a supposed safe haven—served as a grim reminder of the deep-seated vulnerabilities women continue to face, even in places designed for care and healing.

The issue became the focus of a march called ‘Reclaim the Night’, a movement that started in Kolkata and quickly spread to other parts of West Bengal. The marches were aimed at challenging the stereotype that women should not be out alone at night and demanding safety and justice for women regardless of daytime.

The ‘Reclaim the Night’ Protests: A Call for Justice

Women in Kolkata and beyond took to the streets determined to reclaim their right to walk freely and safely at night. It was organized by women’s groups, civil rights organizations and activists who demanded that the state should assume responsibility for women’s safety.

In the heart of Kolkata, around 8,000 people gathered at Biswa Bangla Gate in New Town, carrying candles and posters, turning the streets into a sea of light and determination. These women, from all walks of life—students, professionals, homemakers, and even elderly women—stood united in their demand for justice. They chanted slogans like “We Want Justice” and “Inquilab Zindabad,” echoing the collective anger and sorrow felt across Bengal.

As the movement gained momentum, the streets of Jadavpur, Howrah, Barrackpore, Sreerampore, Siliguri, and other cities were filled with similar scenes of resistance. The atmosphere was charged with both sorrow for the life lost and hope for a future where women could feel safe and free.

A Mob Breaks the Spirit of Peaceful Protest

However, the spirit of peaceful protest was tragically disrupted at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. Late on August 14, 2024, as women marched to reclaim the night, a mob of nearly 40 people, allegedly disguised as protestors, forcibly entered the hospital premises. In a shocking turn of events, they vandalized the emergency building where the young doctor had been raped and murdered just days earlier.

The crowd threw stones at the police, who were there to maintain order during the protest. The situation quickly spiraled out of control as a hospital emergency room and nearby vehicles were damaged and several police officers were injured Police fired tear gas into the crowd, but the violence continued.

The heated clash between police and protesters lasted for about an hour. Doctors and students caught in the crossfire were forced to hide inside the hospital compound. Some issued strong appeals on social media expressing their fears and urging the authorities to intervene swiftly. Despite the efforts of the police, they tried to normalize the situation.

A Tale of Two Realities: Unity in Protest, Violence in Hospital

The events of August 14 highlight the stark contrast between the power of collective action and the destructive power of unchecked violence. Thousands of women marched peacefully in one section of Kolkata demanding safety, justice and an end to the violence that plagued their lives. Their unity and determination were palpable as they stood together in the face of adversity.

On the other side, R.G. Kar Medical College, the very thing these women were protesting against, was being destroyed by senseless violence. The destruction of the hospital, the scene of the brutal rape and the murder seemed symbolic of the daily threats women face. It was a stark reminder that fighting for safety isn’t just about walking the streets; It’s about widespread violence appearing wherever, whenever they encounter it.

A free, independent India in 2024 faces a tough one—when women fight for their rights and safety, their efforts are often met with protests, riots and violence The difference between a peaceful protest and mob violence in the clinic highlights the ongoing struggle for women to achieve true freedom in India.

Reclaiming Freedom: A New Struggle for Freedom

As the women of Bengal took to the streets on the eve of Independence Day, it became clear that their fight was part of a larger freedom struggle—freedom from fear, violence and oppression. The ‘Reclaim the Night’ movement isn’t just a call for safety; They demand recognition of women’s right to live in society without fear of violation or harm.

One of the most powerful symbols of this new freedom struggle was the spread of a red hand holding a crescent moon, created by movement pioneer Rimjhim Sinha. The poster soon became a symbol of protest and a call for change.

In a Facebook post, Sinha wrote: “When we come back at night! I heard the captain of the RG car said that the girl should not go there alone at night That she should not be alone that night. I’ll go out at night. On August 14 at 11:59 pm, I will appear in the name of freedom—the freedom of my wife.” Her words resonated with thousands of women who shared her sentiments and took to the streets, refusing to acknowledge that their freedom might be limited by fear or social expectations The movement was a powerful reminder as to freedom the fight for women in India is far from over.

Conclusion: The way forward

The events of August 14, 2024, are a poignant reminder of the challenges women face in India. During the ‘Get Back at Night’ protests where women’s strength and solidarity was demonstrated across Bengal, R.G. Kar Medical College highlighted the ongoing threat to women’s safety.

As India celebrates its 78th anniversary of independence, true freedom—freedom from violence, terror and discrimination—continues. The women of Bengal have shown that they will not be silenced and their voice will be loud till their demands for justice and security are met.

The road ahead is long, but the spirit of resistance and solidarity seen on the streets of Banga offers a future where women can move about day and night in a truly free and independent India.