Hundreds rally in New Jersey demanding justice in Kolkata rape and murder of young doctor

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Hundreds of Indians and Indian Americans, many of them of Bengali origin, rallied August 25, 2024, morning, in Edison, NJ, demanding justice for the young doctor raped and murdered at R.G. Kar Hospital in Kolkata recently.

They called for an end to the “culture” of rape and carried home-made banners with slogans like We Demand Justice For Abhaya, Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied, Zero Tolerance For Sexual Violence, and many slogans rang out in Bengali and English.

Emotions seemed high and the sense of outrage could be discerned in the speeches delivered by leaders of several organizations that had come together to hold the rally in the Mirch Mughal Market Complex on Oak Tree Road. The organizations involved in organizing the rally included Krishnaa Foundation, Maitree NJ, ICC Garden State, Agrani NJ, Sreeshti NJ, OSCA-NJ, BECCA East Coast Chapter, Somerset Bengali Association, and JUECA.

Several speakers said it was shameful that such an incident should take place in Kolkata, and organizers said they were appealing to all branches of government to take action. Some expressed skepticism that protests would bring justice, and that more needed to be done. The famous protest song – “Jodi Tor Daak Shunay Keyo Naa Aashay, Tobay Aikla Cholo Rey” – if nobody hears your cry, then walk the path alone, rose from the crowd.

Several leaders and protesters expressed their frustrations when interviewed by ITV Gold. “We cannot still fathom what is happening, what has happened to her,” Kumkum Sen of Krishna Foundation told ITV Gold. “As you can see emotions are high. We are asking (all the branches of government in India), to do something, take action, and not to delay,” said Arundhati Sanyal of Maitree Association of America.

“Personally, I am taken aback (by the Kolkata incident). I am very upset,” said Partho Halder of Sreeshti, indicating that all the protests may not work and that the justice system had broken down.

“This is an extremely shameful act,” said Debabrati Halder of Agrani.

“We are here to raise our voice against this violence. It is shameful that Durga Pujo is only four weeks away. We hope our protest can make a difference,” Shreya Mukherjee of Dance For Life USA, told ITV Gold.

Leaders emphasized the need for better protection for women, stronger ethical standards, and accountability from the government, law enforcement, and hospital administrations. The organizers also announced plans to send an open letter to the Chief Minister, Home Minister, and Health Minister of West Bengal, urging them to take decisive action.