Content warning: This post contains details of sexual violence and death

The recent "Reclaim the Night" protests across India reflect the ongoing demand for safety, dignity, and justice for women. These protests have been fueled by the tragic case of Moumita Debnath, a 31-year-old female trainee doctor who was sexually assaulted and murdered at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. Her body was discovered on August 9, 2024, after she had retired to sleep in a seminar room following a 36-hour shift. 

While the incident has brought particular attention to the vulnerabilities faced by female medical staff in the healthcare sector, it has also sparked a broader, multifaceted movement for women’s safety and against sexual violence. This widespread response underscores the varied and deep-rooted nature of the problem, as women across different regions and social backgrounds continue to confront violence in many aspects of their daily lives. 

In response to this incident, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) called for a 24-hour national strike, during which all non-emergency services were withdrawn. The IMA has criticized the lack of safe spaces for female doctors and the overall handling of the case by both college authorities and local police. The suspect, a hospital volunteer, was arrested, but concerns remain about the broader security environment in state-run hospitals across the country.

The "Reclaim the Night" protests have spread to major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, where thousands of women have taken to the streets to demand better safety laws and greater accountability. Reclaim the Night protests, in particular, point to the nearly universal inability of women to walk alone at night without fearing harassment, assault, or even death. Activists argue that this case is symptomatic of India's failure to effectively address sexual violence. Despite legal reforms introduced after the 2012 gang rape in New Delhi, activists assert that more needs to be done to enforce these laws and protect women. The horrors of the case in Kolkata make clear that more than a decade later violence against women remains endemic and pervasive. 

Political parties in India have quickly turned the incident into a political weapon, with the BJP and the Left Front (the Left Front/CPIM has been a key player and important in actually driving the protest movementaccusing the ruling TMC of failing to protect women and mishandling the investigation, even suggesting that the vandalism at RG Kar Medical College was orchestrated to cover up evidence. The TMC has dismissed these claims as politically motivated. This kind of gamesmanship over addressing the actual issue of sexual violence isn't unique to India; it's a global tactic that often detracts from the urgent need for systemic change and real support for victims.

Hindus for Human Rights calls upon the Indian government to recognize the fears women face regarding their safety and dignity, and put in place tangible, enforceable changes to prioritize women’s lives and comfort. HfHR also calls on all political parties to listen to women rather than play politics with cases of sexual violence. We stand in fierce solidarity with the women in Kolkata and around India demanding systemic changes to protect women against gender based violence.May this movement be a wake-up call for Indian society to confront its cruelty against women, across caste and class.

Resources and Support

For those seeking to learn more or get involved, several resources can provide valuable information and support:

1. Reclaim the Night - reclaimthenight.in - The official site for the movement, offering details on upcoming demonstrations, ways to get involved, and educational materials.

2. SafeCity - safecity.in - A platform that crowd-maps sexual harassment in public spaces, offering a safe space for women to report gender based violence and seek support.

For those who have been affected by sexual abuse and are in need of support, the following resources offer assistance:

• Findahelpline.com - https://findahelpline.com/countries/in/topics/sexual-abuse - A vetted guide providing access to helplines and support services across India for those affected by sexual abuse.

• Sakhi for South Asian Women - https://sakhi.org - A U.S.-based organization offering comprehensive support services for South Asian women facing domestic violence and sexual abuse.

In this episode of Mood India we hear from young women, their thoughts on gender equality, economic empowerment and the fight for personal safety. In these informal ‘person on the strret’ interviews these young women articulate what their hopes for independence and freedom look like in today's world.