Protests for Justice in Arjikar Hospital Case Echo at Ganga Ghats on Mahalaya Amid Ancestral Rituals

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, October 2, 2024, Kolkata : As the transition from Pitraksha to Goddess Paksha began with Tarpan rituals at the Ganga Ghats, this year’s Mahalaya saw an unusual scene. Amidst the solemnity of honoring ancestors, slogans of protest reverberated along the riverbanks, demanding justice for the victims of the RG Kar Hospital case. Cries of "We want justice for Abhaya" and "Punish the culprits" broke the traditional quiet of the ghats.

The protest follows a large rally held in Kolkata on Monday evening, where thousands marched to express their outrage over the tragic events surrounding Abhaya’s death and the ongoing RG Kar case. Abhaya’s family continues to seek justice, symbolically claiming that "the demon will be slain this time," referring to the hope of seeing those responsible punished.

Even as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Sribhoomi Puja, marking the official start of Bengal's Durga Puja festivities, a section of the state remains resolute in ensuring that the protests continue alongside the celebrations. While the Chief Minister's message focused on the return of festivity, many in Bengal are adamant that the call for justice should not be overshadowed by the joyous occasion.