KOLKATA: Street protests across the city are set to reach the third peak - after Aug 14 and Sept 4 nights - this weekend and on Monday, with protesters also keeping an eye on the SC hearing.
Since Monday also marks a month of the brutal rape and murder at R G Kar, a call of reclaiming the night in different parts of the city has been given by researcher Rimjhim Sinha, who gave the first 'Reclaim the Night' call on Aug 14, to keep up the vigil on the streets on the night before the SC hearing.
An unexpected boost to the movement came from renowned historian Dipesh Chakrabarty as he has supported Sinha and the organisers of 'Reclaim the Nights, Claim the Rights' and agreed to mentor them in their fight towards justice and also for ensuring women's safety in society.
Apart from Chakrabarty, economist Jean Dreze, filmmaker Aparna Sen, JNU professor Nivedita Menon, Calcutta High Court lawyer Partha Sarathi Sengupta and Supreme Court lawyer Vrinda Grover will guide and mentor them to formulate their demands for long-term policy changes in the society.
"Since Monday marks a month of the brutal incident and we have come to know that the Supreme Court will be hearing the case on Monday, we are giving another call to reclaim the night in different parts of the city from 11 pm on Sunday. We are appealing to everyone across the society - teachers, students, musicians, professionals - to come out on the streets with musical instruments so that we can wake those in power from their slumber with music and rhythm just like 'Goopy Gyne' woke the king up from his sleep," said Sinha.
She added that they were requesting women, who took part in night protests from different areas of the state, to connect with them so that they can form a platform and formulate demands to ensure women's safety.
Sunday will also witness protests across the globe in 130 cities, 30 countries and six continents at local time 5 pm. "It is incredible how people have decided to come out and support the cause from the UK, US, England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, America, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Czech Republic, Spain, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil and Taiwan. We will be joined in by the first ever global human chain," said Dipti Jain, who is the global coordinator of the protest and a doctor, who passed out from Calcutta National Medical College.
On Saturday and Sunday, there will be marches in the city to make a point before the highest court that the citizens are keeping an eye on the proceedings. Jadavpur Artist Forum and Artist for Humanity have organised an event on Sunday where citizens and artists will write and paint on a 5km stretch from Garia to Jadavpur from 9 pm.
Rallies from Phoolbagan to R G Kar and Kumartuli Art Gallery to Bagbazar Bata are also scheduled on Sunday evening along with protests at Shyambazar, Dhakuria, 8B and Mandirtala from 8 pm to 10 pm.
There are efforts to galvanise support for a 16km human chain from the victim's Sodepur house to R G Kar.
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