In a powerful demonstration of unity and outrage, tens of thousands of Indian women took to the streets across West Bengal on Wednesday night, responding to the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The march, titled “Reclaim the Night,” was not just a protest but a resounding declaration against the pervasive fear and violence that women continue to face in India.
The doctor’s lifeless body was discovered last Friday morning after she had fallen asleep in a seminar room following an exhausting 36-hour shift. The crime, which occurred within the very walls of the hospital, has sparked widespread indignation and calls for systemic change.
The Reclaim the Night march, which culminated nearly a week of fervent protests, saw women from all walks of life braving the rain and the darkness to demand justice. Their faces illuminated by the glow of mobile phones, candles, and torches, the protesters moved resolutely through the city, chanting “we want justice” and holding placards that expressed their collective grief and fury.
Despite the largely peaceful nature of the protests, tensions flared when a group of unidentified men stormed the hospital where the crime took place, vandalising the emergency department. Police were forced to use tear gas to disperse the mob, and several vehicles were damaged in the chaos.
In addition to the massive turnout in Kolkata, similar protests took place in other major Indian cities, including Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune. The scenes were striking, with women marching alongside men of all ages, united by a shared determination to reclaim the safety and dignity that has been denied to them for too long.
One woman, who joined the march late into the night with her young daughter, spoke of the importance of teaching the next generation about their rights. “Let her see whether a mass protest can set things right,” she said. “Let her become aware of her rights.”
The protests have been further fueled by growing anger over the authorities’ handling of the case. Initially, the victim’s parents were told that their daughter had committed suicide—a claim that was later debunked by an autopsy, which confirmed that she had been raped and murdered. The suspect, a hospital volunteer, has since been arrested, but there are widespread accusations of negligence and a potential cover-up.
Doctors across the country have also joined the outcry, demanding better security measures and justice for their fallen colleague. The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) initially called for a nationwide halt of elective services in hospitals, and while some protests have been called off following government assurances, others continue to demand more concrete action, including the implementation of a central law to protect medical professionals from violence.
The incident has shone a harsh spotlight on the rising tide of sexual violence in India, where 90 rapes are reported daily on average. Despite stricter laws enacted after the infamous 2012 Delhi gang rape, many believe that the country’s deeply entrenched patriarchy and systemic failures continue to leave women vulnerable.
As the marchers in Kolkata made their way through the rain-soaked streets, their voices unwavering despite the weather, one thing was clear: this was more than a protest. It was a moment of defiance, a collective cry for justice that echoed through the night. Whether it will lead to lasting change remains to be seen, but for those who marched, it was a night that will not soon be forgotten.
“We seized the night,” said Chaitali Sen, a participant in the march. “We’ve never seen anything like this in the city. This is unprecedented. I hope it wakes up the authorities.”
As the case now moves to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), protesters and observers alike are watching closely, hoping that this time, justice will not be denied.
