'Justice for RG Kar' overshadows the jaunty spirit of Durga Puja countdown as Kolkata remains on boil

The homecoming journey of the goddess of power and victory over evil is not the same this year. Or rather it has a whole new meaning to the people in Kolkata and the rest of West Bengal.

The puja countdown jauntiness has been usurped by sadness, deep anger and unprecedented protests demanding justice for the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last month.

The second night vigil, coined as Reclaim the Night, was called on Sept 4 by the junior doctors, who are on cease work since the discovery of the crime on August 9. The purpose was to seize the night before the case's crucial Supreme Court hearing, which was later postponed, much to the disappointment and suspicion of the people.

The night vigil, which was called from 7 pm to 10 pm with the candle-lighting in the last one hour, crossed midnight with people at various points of Kolkata refusing to go back home and instead raised slogans and sang revolutionary songs aiming not just demanding justice but venting out anger against the political classes, police and partly judiciary.

At 9 pm, residents across Kolkata turned off their lights at home, lit candles to show solidarity either from home or nearby localities or major stops in the city that witnessed largely peaceful yet determined protests over the last three weeks.

Unlike on August 14 night when the first night vigil was organised, the victim's family joined the junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in lighting candles. The grieving parents, who have poured their grievance against police and accused them of offering bribes to allegedly cover-up the incident, broke down in tears near a symbolic photo frame of the victim.

Though public gatherings were barred by police in the vicinity of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, people from across the city flocked to the area with candles turning the prevailing fragnance of Shiuli flower- that signals the arrival of Durga Puja- drab.

"The biggest and ultimate loss is endured by the parents. How will they spend this Durga Puja without their daughter? What a heinous crime has been committed..," an elderly lady poured out as she walked past a street art demanding justice in the College Street area.

The  mood was no different in Shyambazar area where an entire family of three switched off lights, came out of their place and stood on the pavements in a show of unity with candles resembling the night of Diwali, the festival of lights.

"My granddaughter has grown up. We remain anxious until she returns from work. So we are ready to protest at every moment," says Subhra Biswas, a resident of Bhupen Bose Avenue, as chants of "We Want Justice" reverberates a few miles away.

Differing from what was recorded on August 14 night (the first night vigil), people shouted slogans and targeted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"Mamata Banerjee's white saree now has blood stains. She will never be able to wash it off. She should immediately resign. Mamata Banerjee is shameless," fumes Apurba Seal.

The mood was no different at Jadavpur 8B Bus Stand in South Kolkata where youth sang the Bengali version of famous tunes of American singer Harry Belafonte and Bella Ciao, which was a popular anti-fascist anthem during World War II before it was revisited by the present generation in the popular Netflix thriller Money Heist.

Amid the electrifying ambience in Jadavpur, calls for the resignation of the Chief Minister was quite clearly suggested with the escalation of the protests past midnight.

Between songs and recitations, the chants of "We Want Justice" rent the air as protesters sported various placards and banners slamming the state government and the Kolkata Police for allegedly tampering with evidence.

The protesters said they are keeping watch on the Supreme Court proceedings, indicating that even the judiciary in this case is under their scanner.

Crowd also demanded a quantum of punishment for Sandip Ghosh, ex-principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital who has been arrested by the CBI in connection with alleged corruption and irregularities in the state government-run hospital.

The announcement is a major blow to the junior doctors and protesters, who had been waiting with bated breath and expecting justice for the victim of the brutal rape and murder that took place at the major state-run hospital.

The undeterred night-long protests, which have received sporadic threats from state ministers and ruling party leaders, sent out a clear message that the agitation won't stop until justice is delivered, no matter how many times the court hearings get postponed.

"We are not budging down. Our fight will continue. It's a fight against fascism," says a youth who preferred to remain anonymous.

(Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)