On 14th August, left-liberal circles were noticeably disturbed by the calls to “blow the conch” during the “Reclaim The Night” event in Kolkata. The event, aimed at protesting against the brutal rape and murder of a Kolkata doctor, took a surprising turn when a call to action via a video message encouraged participants to fill the city with the sound of conch shells. This cultural symbol, traditionally associated with Hindu rituals, sparked unexpected controversy among the organizers and participants.

Jadavpur 8B Coordination Committee’s member, Shalini Mitra, took to Facebook to address the uproar. In a post, she “apologised” to her fellow “Comrades” for the inclusion of conch-blowing in the event, which was meant to symbolize the reclaiming of public spaces by women. Her message was clear and apologetic, aimed at those who found the call conflicting with their ideological stance. She wrote, “URGENT. Comrades, Jadavpur 8B ‘Reclaim the Night’, the coordination committee is informing that WE DO NOT ENDORSE blowing conch shells as a part of this protest program. Our continuing fight is against Brahmanical/Manuvadi Patriarchy and we deeply regret and apologize for any miscommunication. –Jadavpur 8B, Coordination Committee.”

The message by Mitra was a direct response to the video that had circulated earlier, urging women to take control of the night by participating in the event or by blowing conch shells from their homes. The video, which quickly gained attention, featured a text message in Bengali urging, “Girls, take control of the night, fill the city with the sound of conch shells. 14th August 2024 11:55 PM. Either you come down to the streets, or stay with us by blowing the conch shells.” The video intended to inspire a sense of solidarity among women, but the inclusion of the conch shell, a symbol steeped in religious connotations, led to an unintended backlash.

As the event approached, the tension between cultural symbolism and ideological purity became a focal point of discussion among participants.

Widespread Support for “Reclaim the Night” in Response to Kolkata Tragedy

In a powerful response to the recent heinous crime, thousands of women from diverse backgrounds are preparing to unite across West Bengal. On the upcoming Wednesday at midnight, they will express their collective outrage over the brutal rape and murder of a doctor on duty in a Kolkata hospital. This gathering is not just a protest but a reclaiming of safety and dignity in the nighttime streets of their cities and towns.

This assembly of protestors, coming from various segments of society including commoners, college students, home-makers, and office employees, is set to take place in key locations across both small towns and major urban centers like Kolkata. The choice of timing for these gatherings is symbolic, coinciding with the celebration of Independence Day at midnight, adding a layer of national significance to the event’s message.

Organizers have set specific guidelines to ensure the focus remains on the cause. They have stipulated that "no political party flags will be allowed in the rallies". Nonetheless, they are including marginalized groups, stating that "groups representing marginal communities like LGBTQ would be permitted participation with flags". This inclusiveness underlines the protest's commitment to diversity and unity in the fight against gender-based violence.

The broad support for the protest is evident, with endorsements coming from virtually every sector of society. In anticipation of the large number of participants, logistical arrangements have been made to facilitate their movement. The Kolkata Metro Railway is contributing to this effort by scheduling "two pairs of additional trains in its north-south corridor" to accommodate the expected influx of protestors.

This event, driven by the egregious attack on a medical professional within her workplace, has mobilized a vast cross-section of the community, transforming individual grief into a collective call for change.

As Kolkata braces for the "Reclaim the Night" event, the Metro authorities have ramped up their services to support the expected surge in participants. In a move to facilitate easy access for protestors, "all its counters will remain open for the physical purchase of tickets", ensuring that everyone attending the rally can travel without hassle.

The momentum of the movement has been significantly amplified by social media, where inspirational messages and powerful visuals circulate, resonating deeply with viewers. One such message from Rimjhim Sinha, the initiator of this movement, captures the spirit of the event: "Tonight is the night of freedom of women inside and outside West Bengal. A new freedom struggle begins tonight," she declared in a vibrant Facebook post. This statement not only highlights the event’s purpose but also calls to women across the region to stand in solidarity against the oppression and violence they face.

Visual symbols have played a crucial role in rallying support, with one poster becoming particularly iconic. This image, "showing a red hand holding a crescent moon in the background of a night sky," has become a viral sensation, symbolizing the fight for safety and autonomy under the cover of darkness. This striking graphic embodies the essence of the protest, rallying a unified front for change.

The call to action has seen a remarkable expansion beyond its initial plans. Originally focused on three specific locations in Kolkata — College Street, Academy of Fine Arts, and Jadavpur 8B Bus Stand — the movement has now spread throughout the city and beyond. By Wednesday evening, the areas participating had grown extensively, encompassing not only many parts of Kolkata and its suburbs but also reaching cities like Siliguri in the north and Canning in the south of Bengal. This broad geographic spread underscores the widespread resonance and urgency of the movement's cause.

As this unique protest gains traction, it reflects a larger narrative of resilience and empowerment that is spreading across Bengal. The night dedicated to reclaiming the streets is set to be a profound testament to the strength and solidarity of women striving for a safer, freer society.

The ‘Reclaim The Night’ Event and Call for Blowing Conch

The “Reclaim The Night” event is set against a backdrop of urgent calls for enhanced safety measures for women during the nighttime, particularly spotlighted by the appalling RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Rape and Murder Case. This event, scheduled for the night of 14th August, mobilizes women across various cities to demonstrate on the streets, advocating for a more vigilant and responsive administration to safeguard women’s safety.

This year’s event is notably marked by its non-political stance as reiterated by the organizers who have made it clear that “the organisers of the event have claimed that it is a non-political event and have strictly asked the participants not to carry any symbol, flag, poster or placard that is anywhere linked to any political party.” This directive aims to keep the focus strictly on the issue of women's safety, devoid of any political affiliations that might dilute the message.

However, a surge of posters on social media advocating for women to “blow the conch” has introduced a contentious element to the proceedings. These posters have been widely circulated, gaining traction among the public and celebrities alike, including noted Bengali actress Swastika Mukherjee. The symbolic act of blowing the conch, typically imbued with religious connotations, has sparked a divide among supporters of the movement.

The left-liberal faction, including some of the event's own organizers, has expressed disapproval of this element. Addressing the controversy, the organizers clarified their position in a robust statement: “From the ‘Reclaim The Night’ program in Jadavpur, we did not call for any conch shell blowing. We do not support such religious activities. If you are unable to join this time, come next time. You can shout slogans from your balcony, sing songs, and continue your fight against rape culture in your own way, both inside and outside your home. Our fight is also against Brahmanical patriarchy. Our fight is against gender-based labour division. Our fight is to break the confinement of women within their homes and claim the entire sky, day and night. We hope you will join us in protest in your own way.” This statement seeks to redirect the focus back to the core issues at hand — combating rape culture and dismantling oppressive systems like Brahmanical patriarchy and gender-based labor division.

As the night approaches, the event stands as a significant moment for collective advocacy, aiming to empower women to claim their rightful place in public spaces, both during the day and at night.

RG Kar Medical College Rape and Murder Case

The RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, a government-run institution, became the site of a horrifying incident when the semi-nude, brutalized body of a female PG trainee doctor was discovered on 9th August. This tragic event has triggered profound outrage and a demand for justice, shedding light on the grim realities of safety within medical facilities.

Her father, deeply aggrieved, stated that his daughter was "raped and killed inside the hospital, and efforts were underway to ‘conceal the truth.’" This statement has fueled suspicions and called into question the security measures at the hospital. The night of the incident, the young doctor had been with her colleagues, sharing a meal at 2:30 am, following the broadcast of Neeraj Chopra’s javelin throw event at the Paris Olympics. After their late dinner, she opted to relax in the seminar hall, a decision that led to tragic consequences.

The case swiftly moved forward when the main suspect, Sanjay Roy, became a person of interest to the authorities. Roy, who was stationed at the hospital’s police outpost and not directly affiliated with any of the medical departments, had unrestricted access across the facility. This access facilitated his entry into the seminar hall where the doctor was later found. "CCTV evidence shows him entering the premises where the doctor was discovered," leading to his arrest on 10th August. The aftermath of his actions was chilling; he reportedly went home, slept in late, and even attempted to clean his clothes to remove any traces of his crime. His bloodstained shoes were later recovered by the police during a search, adding damning evidence to the case.

The details emerging from the post-mortem report are disturbing. The doctor was subjected to severe physical torture before being suffocated to death. The report, which extends over four pages, reveals the cruel nature of her last moments, stating she had been strangled and suffered from "perverted sexuality" and "genital torture" that led to severe injuries in her private parts.

The brutal attack on a young trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital not only ended her life tragically but also highlighted severe lapses in security and administrative accountability. The autopsy results provide a grim detail of the violence she endured during the final moments of her life.

The severity of the attack is underscored by the damage to her thyroid cartilage, which was shattered, indicating a high level of force used during the assault. A source close to the investigation shared that "the rape and murder occurred on 9th August most likely between 3 and 5 am." During this time, she sustained multiple injuries across her body; "Her lips, fingers, left leg, and abdomen were all covered with injuries."

The brutality continued as, according to investigative sources, "the Doctor’s head was slammed against a wall or the floor resulting in severe injuries" and her "mouth and nose were squeezed shut to stop the victim from shouting." The accused actively prevented her from defending herself or raising an alarm, overpowering her physically. It was reported that "the accused had reportedly beaten her up as she attempted to defend herself and resist." After subduing her, he committed the heinous acts of rape and murder. Further details from the autopsy noted "the girl’s hands and face had cuts on them", and tragically, "shards of glass from her spectacles broke and got into her eyes following an intense blow."

This horrifying sequence of events led to a definitive conclusion in the initial postmortem report, which "ruled out suicide and stated that the trainee doctor had been sexually assaulted before being murdered."

Adding to the community's outrage, the Calcutta High Court on 13th August criticized the West Bengal government's handling of the case. The court condemned the efforts to protect the principal of the hospital, indicating possible administrative complicity or negligence in dealing with the aftermath of the crime.

This case has not only brought to light the extreme violence that occurred but also sparked a broader conversation about safety and justice in medical institutions and the role of governmental oversight in ensuring these standards are upheld. As the legal proceedings continue, the community and activists demand accountability and reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future.