Kolkata grieves for the brave heart

Park Street, bedecked for Yuletide and New Year celebrations, goes dark for an hour in homage

December 29, 2012 10:48 pm | Updated June 15, 2016 10:46 pm IST - KOLKATA:

Kolkatans stage a protest on Saturday demanding justice for the Delhi gangrape victim.

Kolkatans stage a protest on Saturday demanding justice for the Delhi gangrape victim.

The city joined the rest of the country in mourning the 23-year-old gang rape victim. Soon after the news broke, people began assembling at important intersections of the city and paid their homage through posters and floral tributes to the young woman.

Several rallies by non-government organisations, political groups as well as common people from different walks of life were organised in various parts of the city.

Many stood in silence with candles and paid their homage to the unnamed, unidentified brave heart, who, over the last 13 days, came to symbolise crimes against women and the steely resolve to fight all odds.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cancelled the cultural programme scheduled at an event to inaugurate an eco tourism park in the north-eastern fringes of the city.

She and senior members of her Cabinet present at the function, observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect to the victim.

Senior Congress leaders, who had assembled at a political rally in the city, also paid their tributes.

They emphasised on steps that should be taken to prevent such crimes against women. Park Street, bedecked for Yuletide and New Year celebrations, went dark for an hour as lights were switched off to pay homage to the victim.

As condolences poured in from people of all segments, many said they felt a personal loss.

The former Lok Sabha Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee, said that he felt bereaved as if a personal tragedy had occurred. Mr. Chatterjee called upon society to introspect and stop such crimes against women.

Noted author and Magsaysay award-winner Mahasweta Devi said that it was a day of mourning for the nation.

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