Steadfast Solidarity: A Light in the Darkness

Trigger warnings: mentions of rape, murder.

The deafening swell of traffic and throngs of pedestrians did little to deter the air of solemnity; a litany of souls blazing in silent protest against the doctor’s rape-murder that occurred in the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
The peaceful candle procession assisted with the help of local police began at 6:20 pm from Board High School to Jodukatte. It was organized by Indian Medical Association (IMA) – Udupi, Karnataka and Manipal OBG Society featuring many eminent associations, encompassing all walks of healthcare. The procession concluded by 7:35 pm with multiple speeches encouraging the public to provide safe workplaces for women, take an unapologetic stand and display solidarity in making this nation safer for women.
It was a beautiful display of communion by locals and residents of nearby regions.
At a more provincial level, a silent candle march was initiated by the Student Council of KMC Manipal, '24-'25. The march took place on 19th August, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. sharp. It began from the Infectious Diseases Block of Kasturba Hospital- traversing MCOPS, the Museum of Anatomy and Pathology, and finally ending at the KMC Interact Lecture Halls lobby.

Students of all courses, doctors, teachers and even localites gathered together to show their solidarity to this cause. The Dean of KMC Manipal and other senior professors also attended. Armed with candles, posters, banners and flowers, they all walked together in an unbroken line. It was a somber but powerful 1.5km journey. The crowd was manned by the KMC Student Council themselves- the turnout was approximately a whopping 2000 people.

As the journey reached its last leg, multiple people paid homage to the deceased doctor in the Interact Lecture Halls Lobby. A student came forward and voiced her opinion on the matter. She reiterated the importance of protests like these, and the importance of fighting for justice until it is administered. Even if the journey is long. The Interact Lobby will be open for the next 3 days viz. 19th August to pay tribute- cards and flowers are welcomed. People flooded in until 8:00 p.m., some waiting until all the candles burned out.
It was a beautiful, comforting and necessary expression of kinship in a dark and trying time. May we continue to fight and raise our voices until justice is delivered and change prevails.