Kolkata, renowned as India’s cultural hub, has seen a unique blend of artistic expression and social activism in the ongoing RG Kar protest movement. This fusion of art and resistance has significantly amplified the voices of those demanding justice for a tragic incident involving a second-year postgraduate medical student.
The protest has seen songs such as ‘Bella Ciao’ and ‘Karar Oi Louha Kapat’ emerge as powerful anthems of resistance, with their melodies reverberating through the city’s streets and uniting protesters. The poignant lyrics of ‘Ar Kobe’ also resonate deeply with those seeking change, while the national anthem serves as a broader symbol of justice and equality. Slogans like “Shashak tomar kiser bhoi dhorshok tomar ke hoi” (Ruler, what are you afraid of? What is your relation with rapists?) encapsulate the defiant spirit against perceived oppressive policies, and vivid murals and graffiti reflect the struggles and aspirations of the protesters.
Cultural performances, including street theatre and poetry recitals, have further elevated the protest’s impact. In a significant display of solidarity, a coffee house in Kolkata hosted a candlelit vigil where participants sang the national anthem, symbolizing their stance against the injustice.
Indian pop icon Usha Uthup has contributed to the protest through her song ‘Jaago Re,’ a powerful rendition of ‘Jaago Mohan Pyaare’ tailored to the RG Kar incident. The approximately five-minute-long video features Uthup and other women holding placards demanding justice and calling for awareness about social issues like crimes against women.
The song ‘Ar Kobe’ by Arijit Singh has gained viral status, with its lyrics expressing solidarity with the protesters and their quest for justice for ‘Abhaya.’ Singh described the song as a call to action, and it has been performed collectively by people of all ages, demonstrating widespread demand for justice.
On September 5, delivery agents from major food aggregators such as Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, and Zepto joined the protest, marching to demand justice for ‘Abhaya.’ Additionally, students from Rabindra Bharati University adapted ‘Bella Ciao’ into a protest anthem, and a vigil featured a young man singing his Bengali rendition of the song.
Women participated in a ‘mashal julush’ on September 4, holding torches and singing ‘Karar Oi Louha Kopat’ to denounce the rape-murder of the trainee doctor. The phrase “Bhor holo dor kholo, binit goyel otho re” (It’s morning, open the door, Binit Goel, get up) chanted by a child in front of the Department of Health also went viral on social media. Bengali actress Moksha Sengupta further energized the protest with her dance to Kazi Nazrul Islam’s ‘Karar Oi Louha Kopat.’
The protests, sparked by the rape and murder of a medical student at RG Kar Hospital on August 9, have mobilized widespread support and continued to resonate through Kolkata’s cultural and artistic channels.
