Women, Reclaim the Night: A Movement Born Out of Outrage Over RG Kar Hospital Killing

Under the banner of ‘The Night is Ours,’ the movement encourages women to participate by carrying candles and conch shells, symbols of hope and resistance. In Bengal alone, protests are planned in at least 45 locations, beginning at midnight on Wednesday. Similar demonstrations of solidarity are expected in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

Reclaim the night, women.

The movement for women to occupy the streets on the eve of Independence Day was triggered by a statement by the controversial principal of RG Cor Medical College and Hospital, Dr Sandeep Ghosh.

The brutal rape and murder of the doctor had already ignited a fire of outrage. But it was Dr. Sandeep Ghosh’s accusation that finally pushed people over the edge. His first official statement said, “It was irresponsible of her to go to the seminar hall alone at night.”

Inspired by the “Take Back the Night” movement, a few women took to social media, announcing protests in three locations across Kolkata. What began as a small gathering has quickly transformed into a statewide movement, with participants from all walks of life.

“We’ve had enough,” declared gender activist Satabdi Das, a key organiser. “Victim-blaming is a crime, and this movement is our way of fighting back against a system that fails to protect women. The protests, devoid of political affiliations, aim to unite people against the pervasive issue of violence against women.”

Under the banner of “The Night is Ours,” the movement encourages women to participate by carrying candles and conch shells, symbols of hope and resistance. In Bengal alone, protests are planned in at least 45 locations, beginning at midnight on Wednesday. Similar demonstrations of solidarity are expected in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

Reclaim The Night poster. Photo: X (Twitter)/@epicnephrin_e

“We’re sending a clear message: the night belongs to everyone, not just men,” said Professor Ritu Sen Chaudhuri, the key organiser of the College Street gathering.  “This is a symbolic stand against the restrictions placed on women’s freedom. While we’re excited to see how this movement evolves, we urge women to come together, build support networks, and confidently claim their right to safety and mobility after dark.”

Initially sparked by Left-leaning student groups, the protest against the killing has rapidly expanded beyond campus boundaries. Citizens, many of whom are typically apolitical, have joined the movement, mobilising support through social media.

“We are educating our girls, inspiring them to pursue careers and talking about equality and equity at the workplace and we have failed to give even the basic – a safe work environment! This is our basic right, and everyone behind this atrocious act as well as those trying to protect the perpetrators need to be severely penalised,” said software professional Molly Sinha. A first-time protester, she will join the New Town rally with friends. “Enough of being only on social media walls, it is time to display solidarity on the streets as well. We demand justice and seek independence to live without fear!”

“We are pushed back against the wall. It’s a heinous crime which causes pain to all mothers, all citizens. It’s beyond my capacity to fight for justice alone. So I’m doing my bit by joining this protest,” declared Debjani Nandy. An educationist, she is active on WhatsApp groups to encourage others to join the movement.

The overwhelming support for “Reclaim the Night” has also moved a few celebrities and intellectuals, some even close to the state’s ruling party to join the protest. Celebrated actors, directors and singers have shared the poster of the protest on their social media page and announced their decision to join.

Initially maintaining radio silence, Trinamool Congress leaders and MPs have also started condemning the incident. In what looks like a synchronised campaign, on Tuesday evening, four-and-half days after the incident, high-profile women MPs of the state’s ruling party, Sagarika Ghosh and Mahua Moitra, finally posted a tweet condemning the killing while asserting confidence in the CM.

Sagarika Ghose on X (formerly Twitter) said, “As the mother of a doctor I am appalled and shocked at the heinous ghastly crime at RG Kar hospital over which there should be NO politics. The @MamataOfficial government stands for ZERO TOLERANCE on crimes against women. Whoever did this deserves the harshest possible”

Mahua Moitra on X said, “The horrific crime at RG Kar has shocked us to the core. No one to be spared, investigation must be quick & transparent. Thoughts, prayers & solidarity.”

Moitra, who faced backlash on social media for her initial silence, began blocking those questioning her about the incident. Senior journalist Ajit Anjum, who was also blocked, later shared a screenshot of his earlier post praising her for an article on Bilkis Bano.

Ajit Anjum wrote in Hindi on X. “As soon as I tagged her with a question on the brutality against the doctor girl from Bengal, Mahua Moitra blocked me. Wow madam wow. You ask harsh questions to the Modi government everyday and when we asked a question to your government, you immediately blocked us. Can’t you hear a question? All you have to do is ask? Do you only know how to lecture on freedom of expression? A daughter has been brutalised during your rule and no questions are asked to you? Never mind, okay. That’s why people say- Even hypocrisy has its limits… #BangalHorror.” 

Senior TMC leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray also announced on X that he would join the midnight protest.

However, several TMC leaders and celebrities associated with the party took to social media to mock the movement with snide remarks. On Facebook, state cabinet minister Udayan Guha commented that those participating in the ‘Night Freedom Rally’ should “not call me at night if your husband beats you up.” TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh also criticised the movement through a series of posts.

“We do not want to hold a rally outside the hospital, but we are being compelled to do so. RG Kar Hospital has become a hub of corruption. Everyone protesting, whether with or without a political flag, is fulfilling their duty to seek justice,” said Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) leader Minakhi Mukherjee. On the day of the incident, she personally came in front of the car to prevent the police from ferrying away the body of the brutalized doctor.

On Monday, she led the DYFI and Students’ Federation of India (SFI) activities to storm into the hospital’s Emergency building gate to protest against the sudden also renovation work near the seminar room where the doctor’s body was discovered just a few days prior.