Community in Shimla Demands Justice with Midnight Candle March for Kolkata Doctor

A silent candle march was held at midnight on Monday at The Ridge to demand justice for the Kolkata doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered. The peaceful demonstration aimed to raise awareness and reclaim public spaces.

People from various backgrounds, under the Shimla Collectives banner, participated in the march. They demanded "capital punishment for the accused, quick delivery of justice, and martyr status for the victim".

Capital Punishment and Speedy Justice

"Capital punishment and speedy justice are the only deterrent to crimes like rape. We are here at this hour to reclaim public places and make them safe for women irrespective of whether it is day or night," former deputy mayor of Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) Tikender Panwar said.

Swati Sharma, a doctor, emphasised that the crime was against humanity. "It is not a crime against a doctor or a woman but a crime against humanity. Many people blame the victim’s clothes as one of the reasons behind such brutal acts but in this case, a resident doctor was raped and murdered at her workplace," she stated.

Public Safety Concerns

Saina Malhotra, who joined the march, expressed concerns about safety at night. "Are we safe at night, can I roam at night safely without causing concern to my parents? I do not think so, and we want things to change this time," she said.

Umang, an SMC councillor, highlighted the hope for changing mindsets. "All of us are here at midnight to give a message that Shimla is still a place where women can move freely even at midnight and would request our brothers to support us to make our country safer for women," she mentioned.

Call for Protection and Respect

The march coincided with Raksha Bandhan, a festival symbolising protection. "The march has been organised on the festival of Raksha Bandhan when we tie a thread on the wrist of our brothers for protection. On this day, I would like to call upon all the men in the country to protect every woman because she is someone’s sister and daughter, so respect every woman," Malhotra added.

Lalita Ahuja, an elderly participant, urged parents to instil good values in their children. She also called for stricter laws similar to those in Dubai to ensure women's safety. "It is now time to have rigid laws such as in Dubai to ensure the safety of women in the country," she said.

Seeking Martyr Status

Besides justice, demonstrators sought "martyr status" for the victim who had worked 36 hours before the incident. On August 9, her body was found in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

A civic volunteer was arrested in connection with the crime the next day. Later, the Calcutta High Court handed over the case to the CBI.

The candle march aimed not only to seek justice but also to create a safer environment for women by changing societal attitudes and ensuring stricter laws.