Parents of R.G. Kar victim to lead march to West Bengal Secretariat to mark one year of the crime

Thousands of people are set to hit the streets of Kolkata on Saturday and march to the State Secretariat (nabanna buildings) demanding justice for the doctor who was raped and killed at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital a year ago. The parents of the doctor, who will lead the march, have appealed to the public to join the protest.

“Nabanna Abijaan marks one year since we lost our daughter. However, we are unsure of whether we will be able to reach Nabanna, considering how the police are barricading roads throughout Kolkata and Howrah ahead of the rally. We can take out a peaceful protest if we can reach the venue,” the victim’s father told The Hindu on Friday.

He added that they have received positive response from people across the socio-economic and political spectrum. He said the family sent written invitations to several political parties except Trinamool, and received “affirmative responses from even ‘Trinamool-associated’ people, especially women.”

“People from all walks of life and all political backgrounds are welcome to join the march without flags. We are expecting a heavy footfall,” he said.

The victim’s family is also likely to join the night-long protest gatherings and memorials being organised at Shyambazar Crossing and RGKMCH to mark one year of the crime, on Friday night. The police on Friday said they will enforce prohibitory orders, which is already in place around the State Secretariat.

Prohibitory orders

“Howrah police has issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. Therefore, in the area surrounding Nabanna, any protest rallies, gatherings, meetings, or marches are prohibited and illegal, as made clear by the Calcutta High Court order,” said Additional Director General of Police, South Bengal, Supratim Sarkar.

On Thursday, a Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court, while hearing a petition seeking prohibition of Nabanna Abhijaan, held that the right to protest is fundamental. However, the court order on August 7 also noted that “it will be open for the government to implement the said prohibitory order in accordance with the law and inform the organisers about adequate alternative place for protest.”

Referring to the court’s directions, Mr. Sarkar said the police have marked Howrah’s Santragachi Bus Stand and Kolkata’s Rani Rashmoni Avenue as alternative venues for the protest rally.

“The protest may be carried out at these venues in a lawful, democratic, and peaceful way, without damaging public property or harming police and government officials. This is our request to the organisers. There is no doubt that police will take action if protesters break the law in any way,” Mr. Sarkar said.