The 'Reclaim the Night' protest in Kolkata turned chaotic as a mob stormed RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a 31-year-old trainee doctor was tragically raped and murdered. The unrest led to multiple injuries as police resorted to tear gas to control the situation.

The nationwide protests, which began at 11:55 PM on Wednesday, were part of the 'Reclaim the Night' campaign that gained traction through social media. Thousands of women from diverse backgrounds took to the streets, carrying placards and demanding justice for the victim.

While most demonstrations remained peaceful, the scene outside RG Kar hospital escalated into violence shortly after it started. A mob forced its way into the hospital, breaking through barricades and smashing chairs. The emergency ward and several police vehicles parked outside were also vandalized.

Doctors and students who had been protesting peacefully outside the hospital for days were forced to flee as the mob destroyed the temporary structures they had set up. Outnumbered by the crowd, police resorted to lathicharge and tear gas to disperse the mob.

Kolkata Commissioner of Police Vineet Goyal attributed the vandalism to a "malicious campaign" on social media. "This unrest is the result of a false narrative being spread. The Kolkata Police have done everything possible in this case, yet baseless rumors continue to circulate," Goyal said, expressing his frustration.

Goyal also emphasized the ongoing investigation, noting that the police were waiting for scientific evidence before making further arrests. "I cannot arrest a young PG student based on rumors; it's against my conscience. The CBI is now investigating, and they will conduct a fair inquiry. We will fully support their efforts," he added.

Trinamool Congress MP and party General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee also condemned the vandalism, calling it unacceptable. In a tweet, he urged the Kolkata Police to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the violence, regardless of their political affiliations. He also supported the demands of the protesting doctors, stressing that their safety must be a priority.

THOUSANDS JOIN 'RECLAIM THE NIGHT' PROTESTS

As night fell, thousands of protesters—including students, professionals, and homemakers—marched together, holding torches and placards, demanding an end to violence against women and accountability for the crime. Rimjhim Sinha, the movement's initiator, described the event as a new freedom struggle for women, symbolized by a viral poster of a red hand holding a crescent moon.

Protests took place across major cities and towns, including key landmarks in Kolkata. At Biswa Bangla Gate in Kolkata's New Town, around 8,000 people gathered, creating a sea of light with candles and posters.

Demonstrations were also held at several other locations in Kolkata, such as Jadavpur 8B Bus Stand, College Square, Naktala Nabapally, Behala Sakher Bazar, and Shyambazar Five Point Crossing. The movement extended beyond West Bengal, with similar protests in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and other cities across India.