Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case: Women Observe Female Blackout Day With Black Profile Photos On Social Media

Female Blackout Day was observed by women on social media in protest of the Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case

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Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case: Women Observe Female Blackout Day With Black Profile Photos On Social Media
The Kolkata doctor rape and murder case has taken the nation by storm. Each day new developments from the investigation of the case have been surfacing on the internet, leaving netizens enraged. The gruesome crime has sparked a debate on the lack of women safety measures in the country. On Monday, as means to protest the rape and murder of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital’s trainee doctor women and other supporters participated in the Female Blackout Day, by posting black profile photos on social media handles.

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As reported by the Times Of India, the initiative saw global participation with many changing the display pictures on their social media handles. The initiative was observes from 8 am to 9 pm on Monday. Apart from women, men and transgenders also participated in the protest. Homemaker Mithu Dey darkened her WhatsApp profile photo at precisely 8 am on Monday. 

Talking to the media publication, she expressed her desire to take a stand as a form of silent protest. She said, “Instead of simply creating and forwarding reels and messages, I wanted to take a stand and do something where I am accountable. This is a form of silent protest. As a mother and a woman, I feel numb and angry with what happened at RG Kar. Protests have to be continued to step up the pressure on the authorities to be fair. Just one march to reclaim the night isn't enough.”

Dey’s school batchmate, Paaromita Ghosh, who resides in Singapore also participated in the protest by changing her display photo of the all-women school batchmate group. She said, “ It serves as a visual reminder of the ongoing struggle and the need for a safe environment for women in Kolkata and throughout India.”

For those who don’t know, black display photos are commonly are used to express fond remembrance or mourning. The founder director of Mrittika Earthy Talks, Somini Sen Dua shared, “The RG Kar incident has broken my faith on one side as well as revealed the true fabric of Bengal. We were on the streets forgetting all our differences regardless of race/gender/class/creed. I have been to protest marches before. But this is my first black DP protest. It is a metaphor for my ongoing fight for the dignity of women. We will win it.”


Talking about the 31-year-old Kolkata doctor’s rape and murder case, the trainee doctor was cruelly murdered and raped on August 9 at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The heinous crime reportedly took place late at night in the third-floor seminar hall of the chest department. The doctor had allegedly gone to rest in the hall during her 36-hour shift, on the day of her murder and rape. As per the reports, the officials found multiple lacerations and wounds on her body. The crime has sparked outrage on social media as well.
Image Source: Instagram