The Silent March for Justice: A Call for Change

On August 11th, 2024, a horrific incident , occurred at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata. A 31-year-old post-graduate trainee doctor was brutally raped and murdered, allegedly by a group of men. The details are gut-wrenching, and the nation is in shock.

In response, on August 14th, India witnessed a nationwide silent march to demand justice. rom bustling cities to small towns, communities across the country united in their demand for justice. PBEL City, a gated community in western part of Hyderabad, also joined in this collective voice, organizing a peace rally to support the cause.

This tragedy has once again exposed the deep-rooted issues of gender-based violence in our society. As Shesight, a magazine dedicated to women’s empowerment, we recognize the familiar pattern that follows such incidents: political posturing, social media frenzy, and public outrage. However, we must not lose sight of the human tragedy at the core – the immeasurable grief of the victim’s family.

While well-intentioned advice on self-defense and awareness for girls circulates, we at Shesight believe this approach falls short of addressing the root cause. The glaring omission in our collective response is the lack of focus on educating our sons. Where are the voices calling for teaching boys to respect women, to view them as equals, and to recognize them as invaluable members of society?

As India celebrates its 78th year of independence, it’s evident that our minds remain shackled by patriarchal beliefs. The notion of male superiority continues to be perpetuated, fostering a culture of inequality and violence.

Shesight calls for a paradigm shift in how we raise our children, especially our sons. It’s imperative that we challenge and change the patriarchal norms that enable such heinous acts. We must move beyond teaching girls to protect themselves and focus on instilling values of equality, respect, and empathy in boys from an early age.

As we demand justice for the victim, let us also demand justice for every girl and woman who lives in fear. Our independence will remain incomplete until every individual, regardless of gender, can live with dignity and without fear.

We’re calling for big changes – in schools, in laws, in courts, and in how we support survivors. And readers, we need you to step up and be part of this fight too.

The silent march that resonated through the streets of PBEL City and across India is just the beginning. It’s a wake-up call for all of us. We need to look at our own biases and work towards real equality. Only then can we stop these tragedies and build a society where everyone can live without fear.

Remember, change starts with us. Let’s turn our anger into action and create a truly equal India. It’s time to break free from these outdated ideas and make our independence real for everyone.

Bidisha Ghosh, Staff Reporter