West Bengal junior doctors to mark one year since the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case with a “Reclaim the Night” event. Torch rally, night vigil, and convention planned. Meanwhile, they distance themselves from LoP Suvendu Adhikari’s separate political rally seeking justice.
On the first anniversary of the tragic and controversial death of a young woman doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front is set to organize a symbolic “Reclaim the Night” event. This midnight programme will begin Tuesday and continue into the early hours of Wednesday, commemorating the rape and murder case that shook the state’s medical community and raised critical questions about campus safety.
The West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front, an umbrella organization representing several junior doctors’ associations in the state, had led the agitation following the discovery of the young doctor’s body on August 9 last year. Her body was found inside a seminar room of the R.G. Kar Medical College premises in north Kolkata, sparking massive outrage and demands for justice.
According to Debasish Halder, one of the key voices behind the movement, “We will be on the streets from midnight till 4 a.m. to reclaim our rights, our voices, and most importantly, the sense of safety that students and interns have lost within educational institutions. A torch rally will also be held during the event.”
Halder added that on August 9, a special convention titled “Cry of the Hour” will be organized inside the R.G. Kar Medical College campus. This event will bring together students, medical professionals, and civil society members to raise their voices against the prevailing atmosphere of intimidation and insecurity within campuses across West Bengal.
“We want to shed light on the continued threat culture in educational institutions. The fight is not just for justice in one case, but to ensure that such incidents are never repeated again,” Halder said.
Interestingly, while the doctors’ group is organizing their independent protest, they have chosen not to participate in the “March to State Secretariat” rally scheduled for Wednesday. That rally is being organized by the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari. Though Adhikari claims the march is apolitical and has received consent from the victim’s parents, the junior doctors remain skeptical.
“We believe the rally may eventually take a political turn, despite claims of neutrality,” said another representative of the Junior Doctors’ Front. “This issue demands a non-partisan, justice-focused approach. Involving political symbolism at this stage could compromise the integrity of the movement.”
The doctors have also criticized the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which took over the case after significant public pressure. “The CBI has not yet submitted any supplementary charge sheet in this case. Their delay is concerning. We believe both the state government and the central agency have failed in ensuring a fair and speedy investigation,” the office bearer added.
The case of the young doctor’s death drew public attention not only due to its horrific nature but also due to the lack of clarity and transparency in the investigation process. Initial reports raised suspicions of sexual assault and homicide, but authorities have yet to confirm final findings.
| Also Read: Calcutta HC Dismisses Bengal Govt’s Plea |
Over the past year, the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front has repeatedly organized awareness campaigns, candle marches, and demands for stronger safety measures in medical institutions. Tuesday night’s vigil is being seen as a reaffirmation of their commitment to justice, accountability, and safer campuses.
As West Bengal prepares to witness two parallel events on the same issue—one grassroots-led and the other political—the focus remains on one pressing demand: truth and justice for a young doctor whose life was brutally cut short, and for the systemic change needed to prevent such tragedies in the future.
