Kolkata, August 12: On the eve of Independence Day, the Minister of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Agnimitra Paul, will lead a rally in Kolkata to support women’s freedom. She has urged women in the city to participate in this significant event.
On Wednesday, Paul criticized the previous Trinamool Congress government, emphasizing that women should feel safe to walk the streets and wear what they choose. She stated that ensuring their safety is the government’s responsibility.
The gathering will take place at 9 PM on August 14 in front of the Baliganj Shiksha Sadan School in South Kolkata. The rally will commence from there and proceed to Golpark before returning to the starting point.
Paul invited all mothers and sisters to join the rally, saying, “Let’s gather at Baliganj Shiksha Sadan at 9 PM, cross the bridge to Golpark, and then return.” She has called on women from all walks of life, including schoolgirls and journalists, to join the movement.
The rally is planned to advocate for women’s rights just before Independence Day. Paul remarked, “This rally is for our own freedom. Under the previous government, we often witnessed cases where even a six-month-old or an eight-year-old girl was blamed for crimes against them, with questions raised about their character and clothing.”
She further stated, “We should not have to hear why a girl was out at 9 PM or 8 PM. No one can dictate when we should go out, what we should wear, or what we should eat. It is our right to make those decisions. Providing safety is the government’s duty.”
It is noteworthy that following the tragic incident of a female doctor being raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024, there were widespread protests across the state. On August 14 of that year, a night protest named “Reclaim the Night” was organized for women’s rights, with many women taking to the streets demanding justice for the RG Kar victim.
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