New Delhi: Trinamool Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray has pledged to participate in a midnight protest in Kolkata following the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Ray announced his decision via a late-night post on X, emphasizing his personal connection to the tragedy. Tomorrow I am going to join the protesters particularly because I have a daughter and a little granddaughter, like millions of Bengali families. We must rise to the occasion. Enough of cruelty against women. Lets resist together. Come what may, Ray declared.Defending his decisionIn response to concerns that his involvement might lead to repercussions within his party, Ray firmly stated, Please do not worry about my fate. The blood of a freedom fighter flows in my veins. Im least bothered.Tomorrow I am going to join the protesters particularly because Ive a daughter and little granddaughter like millions of Bengali families. We must rise to the occasion. Enough of cruelty against women. Lets resist together. Come what may.— Sukhendu Sekhar Ray (@Sukhendusekhar) August 13, 2024At 75 years old, Ray has been a member of the Rajya Sabha since 2011 and has previously served as Deputy Leader of the Trinamool Congress in the House.Widespread protest plannedThe protest, scheduled to start at 11:55 PM, aims to mobilize women and men across Kolkata and other parts of Bengal. Described as For womens independence on the midnight of independence, the demonstration is expected to draw significant attention.Social media is abuzz with posters detailing protest locations, which are continually updated as more participants join. Prominent figures, including actress Swastika Mukherjee, actress Churni Ganguly, and filmmaker Pratim D Gupta, have urged the public to join the protest at convenient locations.Details of incidentThe rape and murder of the doctor has deeply shocked Kolkata. Found dead on Friday morning in a seminar hall at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the doctor had severe injuries across multiple parts of her body.Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer associated with the hospital, has been arrested in connection with the case. HC transfers case to CBIFollowing the incident, the Calcutta High Court ordered that the investigation be transferred to the CBI, citing serious administrative lapses and concerns about potential evidence tampering. Even after five days, there have been no significant conclusions. Therefore, we are justified that there is every possibility that evidence will be destroyed. We deem it appropriate that the case must be transferred to CBI with immediate effect, the court stated.
