B-town expresses anguish over Kolkata rape-murder, demands justice

"Another brutal rape. Another day of realisation that women are not safe, anywhere. Another horrific atrocity to remind us that it's been over a decade since the Nirbhaya tragedy, but still nothing much have changed," Alia Bhatt posted on Instagram.

Alia continued by providing crime statistics from 2022:  "Let the statistics speak: 30% of India's doctors and 80% of our nursing staff are women. In an environment of growing violence against medical personnel, it's the women who are more vulnerable. Since 2022, there has been a 4% increase in crimes against women, over 20% of which involve rape and assault. Nearly 90 rapes a day were reported in India in 2022."

She added, "How are we, as women, supposed to feel? How are we supposed to go to work or go about our daily lives with this weighing on our minds? This horrific incident has once again reminded us that women disproportionately bear the burden of ensuring their own safety."

Actress Parineeti Chopra also took to her Instagram to express her disgust over the heinous crime.

"If its too difficult for you to read, imagine what it was for her. Disgusting. Horrific. Hang him by his b***s (sic)."

Ayushmann Khurrana took to Instagram to voice his deep disappointment regarding the Kolkata rape case by sharing a poem titled Kaash Mei Bhi Ladka Hota ("I Wish I Were a Boy").

In this heartbreaking piece, Ayushmann depicted the raw emotions and fears that many women experience daily. The poem reflects on how life would be different if women didn't have to constantly worry about their safety—how they could walk freely at night, sleep without the need for locks, and live without the constant fear of violence.

Actor Vijay Verma shared a video on Instagram, wrote: "At least, protect our protectors (sic)."

He also shared a different post that read, "Why we should pay attention to what doctors are saying right now. Trigger warning rape, murder, abuse (sic)."

Earlier in the day, Kangana Ranaut also spoke out about the horrific case.

The BJP MP took to Instagram and wrote: "The murder of a trainee woman doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata is horrible and horrific. The semi-nude body of the woman post-graduate trainee doctor was found inside the seminar hall on Friday morning. She was brutally murdered, and her body bore multiple injury marks. The preliminary autopsy report indicated sexual abuse before her murder. I hope the case is transferred to the CBI for a complete inquiry, and the assaulter is punished harshly.”

Comedian and actor Vir Das said: "A womans safety is the job of her govt, her administration, her institutions, her faculty, her education systems, her authorities, her courts, her country to enforce and systemically guarantee. It should have nothing to do with her hours, wardrobe or anything else. It’s OUR job."

Kolkata and several other Indian cities have come out on the streets tonight to protest against the rape and murder of a PG trainee doctor in state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital that has sparked nationwide outrage.

The protest titled 'Night is Ours' was initially scheduled to be held in the Academy of Fine Arts, Jadavpur 8B and College Street areas of Kolkata.

The trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered at the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which is located in North Kolkata's Belgachia area.

However, similar vigils are now planned to be held in several places in the city and across West Bengal.

'The Night is Ours' or 'Women, reclaim the night' vigils are also expected to be held in Bangalore and Mumbai.

One person, a civic volunteer, has been arrested in connection with the case but protesting students suspect more people are involved in the case.