In pictures: Doctors, lawyers, musicians and artists hit Calcutta streets in solidarity for RG Kar victim

Chorus of voices from diverse professions resonates through the city, demanding justice in the RG Kar case

TT, 19.08.24 :  Calcutta streets have transformed into a powerful stage for justice, with the city's artists, lawyers, and musicians joining forces to protest the rape and murder of a postgraduate doctor at RG Kar Medical College. What began as a movement led by medical students has expanded into a larger call for accountability, resonating through the city’s cultural and professional circles.

On Monday, doctors from across Kolkata gathered at the Medical College, marching to Lalbazar to protest the police summons issued to two senior doctors, Dr. Kunal Sarkar and Dr. Subarna Goswami. The duo had been accused of spreading misinformation regarding the horrific rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital.  

As the march moved from the Medical College towards Lalbazar, police set up barricades near Phears Lane-BB Ganguly Street Crossing, attempting to halt their progress. The doctors, undeterred, continued to press forward. Dr. Kunal Sarkar and Dr. Subarna Goswami, at the forefront of the protest, were determined to meet the police officers to discuss the matter. Speaking to The Telegraph Online, Dr. Manas Gumta, another protesting doctor, said, “We came here to support Dr. Sarkar and Dr. Goswami and to let the police know that they are not alone. If the administration thinks they can scare us, they’re wrong. This movement will only grow stronger.”

Outside the police headquarters, doctors formed a human chain, singing and chanting slogans. The atmosphere was one of defiance and solidarity. "The administration cannot just summon doctors because they spoke out against this heinous crime," Dr. Gumta asserted. "We’re here to tell the government that if they try to intimidate us, these protests will spread far beyond the city, reaching every corner of the state."

At the Academy of Fine Arts, visual artists gathered to express their outrage through art. Brushes in hand, they transformed their canvases into bold statements of protest. Painter Gourab Kumar Nath told The Telegraph Online, "Our canvas isn't just meant for drawing fine, beautiful things. Our canvas is for shouting for justice. We want justice." Their art, raw and unfiltered, became a powerful form of activism, highlighting the deep anger and sorrow felt by the community.

The legal fraternity also took to the streets, understanding that justice must be demanded both inside and outside the courtroom. Lawyers and advocates marched together, holding banners and raising their voices for justice. "Our constitution begins with equality and justice, and this is what's happening in the state. We marched today to save the ideals in our constitution", said Megha Dutta, a young advocate from the Calcutta High Court. For these legal professionals, the protest was a necessary stand for the principles they swore to uphold. 

Meanwhile, students at RG Kar Medical College formed a human chain in front of the Platinum Jubilee building, a symbolic act of solidarity to seek justice for their fallen colleague. The "rakhi" human chain was not just a protest but a promise—a vow to continue fighting until the guilty are held accountable.

The music fraternity in Calcutta has also announced  a silent protest rally at Golpark today. Guidelines were issued for a silent march, where participants would dress in black and white and sing two Rabindrasangeet songs. However, singer Anupam Roy, determined to make his voice heard, said to The Telegraph Online, "Personally, I will not abide by dress codes... all that matters to me is that I want to be there. Voicing out my protest is all that matters." Similarly, Samantak Sinha, unable to join the march in person, canceled an upcoming show in Calcutta where he was to perform with singer Sahana Bajpaie. He said, "This isn't a time to celebrate; now all that matters is fighting for justice."

The diverse involvement of Kolkata’s professional communities sends a clear message: this fight for justice transcends boundaries, uniting the city in a shared demand for change.