Kolkata, 6 August (H.S.) – West Bengal is bracing for a fresh wave of large-scale protests to mark the first anniversary of the rape and murder of a woman junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. From August 8 to August 15, multiple organisations and civil society groups are set to launch a series of demonstrations across the state.

On August 9, 2024, the doctor’s body was found in the hospital’s seminar hall. While civic volunteer Sanjay Roy, the sole accused, has been sentenced to life imprisonment, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has yet to complete its probe into what the victim’s family alleges was a “larger conspiracy.” Last year’s protests largely targeted the state government and ruling Trinamool Congress, but this year’s agitation will also question the CBI over the perceived slow pace of its investigation.

The victim’s parents have called for a “Nabanna Abhiyan” — a march to the state secretariat — on August 9, urging all political parties to participate. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who initially brought the family into the movement, has extended full support. On Wednesday, he accused the state government of using the police machinery to block the march, claiming that a special meeting of top IPS officers was convened for this purpose. He further alleged on social media that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had left for Jhargram while security forces were deployed around the secretariat.

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Planned Protests and Rallies

On the night of August 8, the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Forum will hold a torch rally from College Square to Shyambazar, followed by a sit-in at Shyambazar Five Point Crossing from midnight to 4 a.m. The next morning, the United Doctors’ Forum and “Abhaya Manch” will tie rakhis to spread a message of safety and respect. Later that day, doctors will march from Hazra Crossing to Kalighat, near the Chief Minister’s residence, at 4 p.m., followed by a gathering at RG Kar Medical College at 6 p.m.

On August 14, doctors and members of the public will hold rallies and public meetings, culminating in a “Reclaim the Night” march in which women and citizens will take to the streets demanding justice. Organisers said that despite the RG Kar incident, a rape case at a law college in South Kolkata has shown that the state government has failed to ensure the safety of women in hospitals and educational institutions, making renewed street protests essential.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh