A year after the horrific rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, her family continues to wait for justice. Instead of closure, the case has seen political manoeuvring dominate the narrative. On Friday night, the West Bengal Justice for Daughters Forum (WBJDF) once again took to the streets in a torch-lit march from College Square to Shyambazar. The wave of protests has also reached the suburbs and districts.

Torch Rally and Celebrity Participation

Like last year, actress Debolina joined the march this year as well. However, unlike the previous year, the entertainment fraternity was largely absent from the late-night protest. Responding to questions about the absence, Debolina said,

“It is entirely a personal matter for those who didn’t join. Many of my colleagues have told me they are facing difficulties in their workplaces, and that’s the main reason.”

“The Movement Hasn’t Faded”

When asked whether the agitation had lost momentum, Debolina dismissed the perception.

“The WBJDF activists have kept the movement alive for the past year. It may not have been widely covered by the media, which is why it seems quieter. Naturally, people cannot be on the streets in large numbers every day—they have jobs and livelihoods to maintain. But tonight’s turnout proves the movement is very much alive.”

Doctors and Citizens Join at Hatibagan

At Hatibagan, doctors and ordinary citizens participated alongside other activists. One protester remarked,

“The fight will continue until justice is served.”

Activist and doctor Asfaq-ullah Naiya added,

“No movement can sustain the same level of intensity indefinitely. But the fire still burns in people’s hearts, and the protest will continue.”

Another activist, Aniket Mahato, clarified that while the organisation will not officially participate in the upcoming Nabanna Abhiyan, individuals who wish to join in the demand for justice are free to do so.

Parents to Join Nabanna Abhiyan Amid Political Overtures

On Saturday, Tilottama’s parents are set to join the Nabanna Abhiyan. BJP state president and Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, has urged party leaders and workers to take part in the protest alongside them, setting aside party flags. The development underscores how the tragedy has also become a political flashpoint, with leaders using the family’s quest for justice to mobilise supporters.

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