This year’s Mahalaya marks the start of an unusual ‘Devi Paksha’ in Bengal. Instead of the traditional rituals of listening to Mahishasurmardini on the radio or performing Tarpan by the river, citizens have taken to the streets to protest against the increasing incidents of violence against women.
The protests began with junior doctors from 23 medical colleges across the state, who have been on strike since August 9, following the discovery of a raped and murdered doctor. They have put forward a list of ten demands to the government and declared that they will not return to work until their demands are met. On Tuesday, these doctors marched from College Square to Rabindra Sadan, with torchlights in hand, demanding justice for their colleague.
Alongside the junior doctors, the ‘Reclaim the Night, Reclaim the Right’ movement, which was launched on August 14, has gained momentum. Women from various walks of life, including sex workers and transgender individuals, have come together under this banner to protest the systemic violence against women. Their demand is simple yet powerful: the fight for women’s rights and safety must continue throughout the year, not just during a specific time.
One of the organizers of the ‘Reclaim the Night’ movement expressed that their goal is to dismantle patriarchal ideas embedded in both Pitru Paksha and Devi Paksha. The women gathered at the Academy of Fine Arts on Tuesday night to discuss their personal struggles in a ‘night meeting’ that lasted from 1:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. They emphasized that while they may not be able to solve these issues immediately, identifying them is the first step.
Meanwhile, in Kolkata, a larger march is planned for Wednesday, starting from College Square to Esplanade, with both junior doctors and ordinary citizens participating. The march will conclude with a meeting at Esplanade, where further actions will be discussed. The protesters are still undecided about the next course of action after the Puja season.
In the backdrop of the protests, the junior doctors’ representative, Aniket Mahato, announced that they will continue the demonstrations until their demands are met. This was further fueled by the recent tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College, which intensified public outrage.
Across other parts of Bengal, similar protests and marches are taking place. In Chandannagar, a ‘Reclaim the Night’ event is scheduled from 9:00 p.m. to midnight on Tuesday, with local students and citizens participating. On Wednesday morning, citizens of Serampore will march with lamps in hand, starting at 4:00 a.m. from Battala. Protests are also planned in Hooghly and Rishra.
The ‘Reclaim the Night’ organizers emphasize that this is not just a seasonal event. One of the key figures, Munmun Biswas, highlighted that the protests were planned long before Mahalaya, and the movement is likely to continue throughout the year. Additionally, they are considering whether protests can be extended to Puja pandals.
This Mahalaya, therefore, is set to be different. Rather than focusing solely on celebration, many are calling for justice, raising their voices against violence, and demanding safety for women. The streets of Kolkata and beyond will continue to echo with the slogans of protest throughout the Puja season, as the fight for justice and rights goes on.
News Highlights:
- Citizens across Bengal take to the streets on Mahalaya, protesting against violence on women.
- Junior doctors from 23 medical colleges launch a full strike, demanding justice for a murdered colleague.
- The ‘Reclaim the Night’ movement continues, calling for year-round protest against gender-based violence.
- Protests involve citizens, women’s rights groups, sex workers, and transgender individuals.
- Demonstrations and marches are planned throughout Puja season, with significant participation from the public.