Celebrities Defiantly Rally Against Kolkata Doctor’s Rape and Murder: Former Mamata Allies Stand United in Protest
On August 9, a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH) was allegedly raped and murdered, sparking widespread outrage and protests in West Bengal. Prominent figures, including former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly and his daughter Sana, participated in candlelight protests to demand justice. Ganguly, who previously termed the incident a “stray” occurrence, faced criticism on social media and calls for his removal as Tripura’s tourism brand ambassador. He later clarified his remarks, condemning the act as “terrible and shameful.”
The protests saw extensive participation from celebrities associated with the Trinamool Congress and the Bengali entertainment community. Actor and former Trinamool MP Mimi Chakraborty, despite receiving rape threats, joined the demonstrations, as did Trinamool MLA Raj Chakraborty and his actress wife Subhashree Ganguly. Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri criticized the current government, alleging the incident was politically weaponized.
Bengali film industry icons such as Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Kaushik Sen, and Paoli Dam united in a movement to seek justice, while music industry personalities like Debojyoti Misra and Rupam Islam also voiced their support. Director Srijit Mukherjee highlighted the personal impact, noting his mother’s connection to the medical field.
Moreover, actor and director Aparna Sen joined junior doctors in their protest at the RGKMCH, questioning the Kolkata police’s role in the initial investigation and suggesting there might have been efforts to obscure the truth. Despite some protesters objecting to her presence, the movement continues to gain momentum with a diverse array of supporters demanding accountability and justice for the victim.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/celebrities-once-allied-with-mamata-join-protests-against-kolkata-doctor-rape-and-murder/article68555366.ece
Category : West Bengal
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