IGNITED by the brutal rape and murder of a young doctor at RG Kar Medical College on August 9, Bengal has become a crucible of public outrage and collective action. The initial shock and grief has quickly transformed into a determined call for justice. The movement initiated by junior and senior doctors has gradually transformed into the largest civil society movement in recent times. The unprecedented success of women's ‘Reclaim the Night’  programme demanding an end to gender-based violence on August 14 was followed by the "Carnival of Resistance" two months later, a counter-movement to the state government's annual Durga Puja carnival, highlighting the stark contrast between the government's priorities and the people's demands.   The intervening days were filled with diverse forms of protest – school alumni gatherings and marches, united demonstrations by housing complex residents, and joint initiatives by supporters of Kolkata's three major football clubs – that have unveiled new horizons of spontaneous resistance across the state.  

Organisations like SFI, DYFI, and AIDWA also took charge, leading their own protests. These demonstrations saw a remarkable turnout of women, highlighting their strong dedication to achieving justice and equality. More importantly small organisations and groups, fuelled by a shared sense of outrage and a desire for change, emerged from the grassroots. They organised rallies, marches, and other forms of protest, demanding swift justice for the victim and systemic reforms to ensure women's safety.

NEW BEGINNING 

As the movement gained momentum, it drew support from various quarters, including the Joint Platform of Doctors, a forum of senior doctors and health activists. WhatsApp groups were formed, facilitating communication and coordination among activists. Regular meetings were held to strategise and plan future actions. The movement, which began with a demand for justice for the rape and murder, has now expanded to encompass a broader range of issues. It has brought to light the despicable state of women's rights in the state, the horrifying realities of deeply rooted corruption, and the threat culture that has long plagued academic institutions and the society at large. These issues, which were not deeply stirring people until recently, have now become central to the movement. They are not merely subjects of contemplation but have become issues of civil society protests.

The unwavering determination of the junior doctors, who   even risked their lives through hunger strikes in pursuit of justice, has earned them widespread respect. The public, disheartened by the administration's inaction, had yearned for a swift and meaningful resolution. However, the chief minister's display of bias towards the perpetrators during the meeting with the protesters has only underscored the necessity for further intensifying the movement.

Recognising the need for a unified platform to further invigorate the movement, a meeting was held on October 29, resulting in the formation of "Abhaya Mancha." This forum, comprising over 80 organisations and jointly convened by Dr Tamonas Chaudhuri, Dr Punyabrata Gun, and renowned theatre personality Manisha Adak, aims to amplify the voices of the people and demand accountability from the authorities.

Dr Tamonas Chaudhuri, one of the joint convenors of Abhaya Mancha, expressed the collective sentiment: “Abhaya Mancha is not just a movement of doctors; it's a mass movement born out of the urgent need for common people to unite on a common platform. Our goals are clear: to seek justice for Abhaya-Tilottoma, to protest against the prevailing culture of threats, and to raise our voices for the fundamental right to protest. The people have shown that they will not tolerate injustice and will continue to fight for a safer and more equitable society. This forum is a testament to the power of collective action and the unwavering spirit of the people.”

"DROHER AALO”

Abhaya Mancha's first call to action was a protest programme named "Droher Aalo" (Flame of Defiance), scheduled for November 4 from 7 pm to 9 pm in various localities, demanding justice for Abhaya. A week after Diwali, West Bengal was once again illuminated, but this time, not with the festive lights. On a sombre Monday evening, the state was enveloped in a different kind of glow - the “Droher Aalo”. Thousands gathered across the state, from the bustling streets of Calcutta to remote villages, lighting candles, lamps, and torches to demand justice for Abhaya. The 'Association of Health Service Doctors,' along with the 'Joint Platform of Doctors, West Bengal,' and junior doctors, joined the “Droher Aalo” campaign, under the leadership of Abhaya Mancha, which spearheaded this movement.

In numerous locations across the state, people created symbolic representations of Abhaya, surrounded by candles, and organised gatherings posing pointed questions to the state government. Through slogans, protest plays, poetry, and songs, they conveyed a powerful message: "No matter how sharp the teeth and claws of the rulers, the fire of our defiance will not be extinguished. Our movement is not weakened; we will surely obtain justice. We are determined to build a threat-free Bengal."

In Kolkata the “Droher Aalo” spread rapidly, from Jadavpur to Garia, Ranuchhaya Mancha to James Long Sarani, Baguihati to College Street, and beyond, encompassing areas like Dhakuria, Rashbehari, Shyam Bazar, Bagha Jatin, Kakurgachi, Ballygunge, Sinthee, Behala, and Bhowanipur. Organisations like the West Bengal Science Forum, Bank Bachao Desh Bachao, and Save Democracy joined the protests.

In front of Calcutta University, protesters gathered with torches and candles, demanding justice. They also condemned the state government's attempts to shield the guilty and its support for corrupt elements in the RG Kar Hospital incident. The protest included street plays, songs, and recitations. The Abhaya Mancha, along with the All Bengal Researchers' Initiative, ex-students of Calcutta University, Calcutta University Teachers' Association, and the Right to Education Forum West Bengal, organised a protest within the academic premises. The women's group, Citizens for Justice organised a protest march towards the CGO Complex.

While the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP have been critical of the sustained protests, the programme encompassing wide sections of the civil society has demonstrated that the fire of defiance is far from extinguished. Organisations demanded swift justice and called for strict punishment for those involved in the heinous crime against the medical student. They also demanded reforms in the state's healthcare system and the removal of corrupt elements from institutions like RG Kar Hospital.

Thus Abhaya Mancha's call to action ignited a firestorm of support, echoing from the heart of Kolkata to the far corners of Jalpaiguri, Malda, East and West Bardhaman, and East and West Medinipur. Doctors, health workers, artists, lawyers, students, the young and old, women and workers – a diverse tapestry of society united in their demand for justice. In the countryside, women formed powerful groups like the 'Tilottama Bahini' and 'Tilottama Sammilani', their voices joining the chorus of dissent. As candles and torches illuminated the evening, a solemn vow was made: this fight would not be extinguished until justice was served.

Encouraged by the mass support, the forum has announced plans for future programmes to expand the movement to rural areas. The Joint Platform of Doctors on behalf of Abhaya Mancha has called for a public charge sheet on November 9 at a mass gathering in Rani Rashmoni Road. The public charge sheet, a scathing indictment of the CBI investigation into Abhaya's murder, will highlight glaring loopholes and raise serious questions about the government's apathy towards justice. The document will expose the systemic failures and deliberate attempts to derail the truth, igniting further public outrage and fuelling the demand for a thorough, independent probe.

On November 4, SFI, DYFI, and AIDWA, staged a protest demonstration and submitted a deputation to Shyampukur Police Station in Kolkata. The secretary and presidents of SFI Kolkata district committee Didhiti Roy and Barnana Mukhopadhyay,    DYFI secretary and president Paulabi Majumder and Bikash Jha and AIDWA secretary and president Samita Har Chowdhury and Paramita Sen Roy respectively were present in the programme. The protest was organised in response to the recent vandalism of the symbolic bust of Tilottama, a sculpture erected to commemorate the struggles of the anti-RG Kar Hospital incident. The protesters demanded immediate action against the perpetrators and a thorough investigation into the incident. The organisations also expressed their disappointment at the lack of progress in the investigation of a previous written complaint filed regarding this matter.