Candle Marches, Cries For Justice: How India Spent Independence Day

Less than a week before India's 78th Independence Day, the nation was shaken to its core by the rape and murder of an on-duty trainee doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College Hospital. The horrifying incident was uncovered in the early hours of August 9, when her body was found in the seminar hall, semi-naked and brutally wounded. One suspect has been arrested, yet the autopsy-- revealing gut-wrenching details-- suggests the possibility of sexual assault by multiple offenders.

Nationwide protests, candle marches, and rallies have emerged, demanding justice for the 31-year-old deceased medical professional. These silent vigils have amplified the cries and outrage of people across the country as they come together to mourn the loss of a young life.

Justice For 'Abhaya'

When the victim's body was first discovered, the RG Kar Hospital administration allegedly attempted to brush the incident under the rug as a case of "suicide". However, the MBBS students, trainees, and some faculty reportedly did not let the body be taken away for about 10 hours until their conditions were met.

The news of the state-run hospital's dubious conduct spread like wildfire, prompting medical professionals across the city to hold protests and demand strict action from the hospital administration and the government. The tragic incident has caused an outpour of grief and anger among the public.

Junior doctors in Kolkata have reportedly gone on strike and taken to the streets in protest until their demands for a safer work environment are met. The medical fraternity across India, which has long been vocal about the vulnerabilities faced by healthcare workers, has been showing unprecedented solidarity.

The college principal, Dr Sandip Ghosh, resigned from his post on August 12 but was rehired as the principal of another state-run institute in no time. This move has further fueled public outrage and scepticism. The case is now being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation, as per Calcutta High Court orders.

On August 15, 2024, India felt an apparent disconnect from the feeling of freedom as the rape and murder of the young woman cast a shadow over Independence Day celebrations. Instead of fluttering tri-colour flags under the bright blue sky, the nation saw the sombre glow of candles after dark.

Several cities in the country held 'Reclaim The Night' rallies at the stroke of midnight on Independence Day. In Kolkata, the public's anger has been palpable as the protesters turned violent, vandalising the RG Kar Hospital. The police reportedly arrested about 19 agitators and fired tear gas to disperse the mob.

The deceased woman has been given the pseudonym 'Abhaya', meaning fearless, with calls of 'Justice for Abhaya' echoing nationwide and on social media. Public figures have also spoken up about the injustice and widely shared the recent news to raise awareness about gender-based violence.

A question continues to haunt India-- How many more #JusticeForAbhaya, #JusticeForNirbhaya, #JusticeForAsifa, #JusticeForMe, or #JusticeForYou would it take to see an end to the 'rape culture'? This systemic issue has persisted for far too long, pushing us towards a desensitization to the horror.