On the first anniversary of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case, West Bengal braces for renewed protests as students and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders prepare for a ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ march on Saturday, demanding justice for the victim.
Howrah has been placed under heightened security, with additional police forces and riot control vehicles deployed to prevent unrest.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari confirmed his participation, stating in a post on X that the march is a response to the victim’s parents’ call for justice and a protest against alleged attempts to shield the perpetrators and cover up the crime. “On this cursed day… I will participate in the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ in the hope of justice,” he said.
The victim’s parents, who will join the march, have expressed deep frustration over the pace and direction of the probe. Speaking earlier this week, her father criticised both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Kolkata Police, accusing them of misleading the public and failing to bring facts to light despite a year passing since the crime. He also alleged that senior state officials, including the health secretary, were connected to the case and should face arrest.
The incident, which shocked the nation, occurred on August 9, 2024, when a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor was found dead in a seminar room on campus. Public outrage and protests led the Calcutta High Court to transfer the investigation to the CBI, which has since made several arrests.
Despite this, the victim’s family and supporters say justice remains elusive — a sentiment that continues to fuel widespread anger and calls for accountability.
