Violence erupted at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital late on Wednesday (August 14, 2024) night during a march organised by women to ‘Reclaim the Might’ protest against the rape and murder of a doctor inside the seminar hall of the hospital.
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A mob broke into the hospital minutes before midnight and vandalised the emergency building, where a doctor was raped and murdered in the early hours of August 9.
The protesters vandalised the protest venue where the doctors have been protesting since August 9. The mob pelted stones and several policemen sustained injuries. Several police vehicles were also damaged in the attack.
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When the mob entered the hospital premises, the police stood guard but did not resist the protesters. The police ran to take shelter when a mob of about 30 to 40 people stormed inside the hospital. Amidst the violence and chaos, The Hindu’s correspondent had to take shelter in an auditorium with students and senior doctors.
“They have completely vandalised our protest site. Our days of protest have been destroyed and it’s now broken down to the ground,” a postgraduate student said.
For nearly an hour the police and protesters came face to face and doctors and students had to hide inside the hospital premises. In certain areas around the hospital, pitched battle ensued between police and protesters.
Protesting doctors who were hiding inside the hospital issued a video statement saying that they were terrified and sought intervention from the police and administration. The police had to resort to tear gas shelling but were unable to control the mob.
Condemning the violence at the protests, Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said the “hooliganism and vandalism at R.G. Kar tonight have exceeded all acceptable limits”. He added that he spoke to the Commissioner of Police, Kolkata, urging him to ensure that every individual responsible for the “violence is identified, held accountable, and made to face the law within the next 24 hours, regardless of their political affiliations”.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal arrived the spot and tried to control the situation.
“What has happened here is because of a malicious media campaign against Kolkata Police,” he told journalists. ‘
Mr. Goyal said that the police had carried out the investigation into rape and murder with transparency and arrested the prime accused in the case.
“What has Kolkata Police not done? We have never said that there is one person. But scientific evidence takes time. I cannot arrest any persons based on rumours. We have been transparent. The case has now been transferred to CBI. The motivated media campaign has put Kolkata Police in poor light,” the Commissioner said.
“I am telling you from the core of my heart that we have not tried to save anyone” Mr. Goyal added.
The call to Reclaim the Might was called by several organisations particularly women groups to protest against the rape of murder of a doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital.
A similar march was organised in different parts of Kolkata and across West Bengal. The march at Jadavpur 8 B Bus Stand and Academy of Fine Arts and other parts of the city were peaceful.
My three-year-old daughter, who can barely form full sentences, has been saying “we want justice” and “Inquilab zindabad” since we arrived here for the protest,” Taniya, who was attending the gathering at Jadavpur 8B told The Hindu. Taniya, who came with her husband, daughter, her sister and a friend, said that demanding safety is the need of the hour for every woman.
Indrani Dutta Panna, a 61-year-old poet and retired teacher, came to attend the protest at Jadavpur 8B from Sonarpur. “Why do men think they can trample us like insects?” she asked. “Women are so accomplished, they are scientists, they are going to Space. But we are still yet to gain our own space.”
For Ms. Panna, the protest organised was a call for freedom. “We have to claim our own space, this has been long due,” she added.
Spirit of protest palpable
At Mandirtala in Howrah district, the scene of unrest continued as protestors seized control of a stage set up by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for its ‘Freedom at Midnight’ celebrations. The agitators interrupted the event, turning the stage into a platform for their demands and amplifying their call for justice.
As night descended, the streets buzzed with chants of “We Want Justice,” echoing the collective anger and sorrow of women from every corner — students, professionals, and homemakers — marching together to demand accountability and an end to violence against women.
Political party flags were banned, but flags from marginalised communities, such as LGBTQ+ groups, were proudly displayed.
Rimjhim Sinha, the movement’s initiator, described the event as a new freedom struggle for women, symbolised by a viral poster of a red hand holding a crescent moon.
Scene from outside the emergency building of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital after clashes erupted at the protest site on August 15, 2024, at midnight. | Photo Credit: Shrabana Chatterjee
In Kolkata, the spirit of the protest was palpable.
At Biswa Bangla Gate in New Town, around 8,000 people, carrying candles and holding poignant posters, created a sea of light and determination.
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Similar scenes unfolded in Sreerampore, Chunchura, Santiniketan, Krishnanagar, Bardhaman, Siliguri, Barasat, Barrackpore, Rajarhat-Newtown, Cooch Behar, and Jalpaiguri.
At Sealdah station, the protest saw an unexpected but heartening addition — pavement dwellers joined in, with some women blowing conch shells as a powerful symbol of resistance.
In Diamond Harbour, thousands of women sang Tagore’s “Aguner Parashmani,” holding mobile torches high, their voices blending in a poignant call for justice.
Amidst the sea of protestors, Lilly Banerjee, an elderly woman from Patuli, expressed her deep concern for her daughter’s safety and her disbelief at having to participate in such a midnight protest on the eve of Independence Day.
People gather at Jadavpur at midnight on the eve of Independence Day to protest against the rape and killing of a trainee doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College, in Kolkata on August 14, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI
“I couldn’t sleep after hearing about the horrific attack on the young medic. My daughter is about the same age and works in Pune. I worry for her safety every day,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Actor Rituparna Sengupta, in a video message, voiced her support for the movement and lamented the recurrence of such violent incidents. “It’s shocking that we are still facing these issues. We need assurance that such violence will not happen again,” she said.
In a show of solidarity, men also joined the protests across various locations, standing shoulder to shoulder with women and underscoring the widespread call for change and justice.
(With inputs from Shiv Sahay Singh, Moyurie Som, PTI)
