Unity Across Faiths: Kolkata Students and Football Fans Rally for Justice in Baruipur Case
Hundreds of students, activists, and football enthusiasts gathered outside Presidency University in Kolkata on Tuesday to demand justice for the 11-year-old girl who was raped and murdered in Baruipur. The protesters, carrying placards and chanting slogans, emphasized that crimes against women should unite society rather than divide it along religious or political lines.
Organised by Chhatra Parishad and Congress workers, the demonstration saw participation from students of Presidency University, Calcutta University, and City College. They called for stringent punishment for sexual offenders and stricter enforcement of existing laws to deter such crimes. The protest also highlighted a series of recent incidents of violence against women, including minors, in the state.
Speaking at the rally, Tulika Adhikari, President of the Rural Mahila Congress, questioned the state government's pre-election assurances on tackling atrocities against women. “Before the elections, the Chief Minister had said his government would follow a model where rapists would be arrested and punished swiftly. It has now been one and a half months since the government assumed office, yet several incidents involving crimes against women have been reported,” she said.
Student leaders maintained that the movement was not driven by religious or political affiliations but solely by the demand for justice and women's safety. They expressed growing fear among families due to the repeated incidents of violence against women.
Football enthusiasts also participated, turning the ongoing football season into a platform for dissent. Holding national flags of Brazil, Argentina, and India, along with coloured torches, they chanted, “Football is the language of protest. Football is for everyone.” Organisers Shanu Chattopadhyay and Rupsa Saha noted that football galleries have historically been spaces for protest and justice movements, referencing earlier demands for justice during the RG Kar movement.
On Monday, a separate march was taken out in Dharmatala by youth representatives, demanding justice for rape cases in Barasat, RG Kar, Kamduni, Unnao, and Hathras. In areas like Kodalia, Garia, and Baruipur, CPI(M)-backed organisations also staged protests against the Baruipur incident.
The protesters carried banners that read: “This march belongs to everyone. This march is for securing justice. This march does not belong to any particular political party. This march belongs to ordinary marginalized people and football lovers, above color, religion, caste, and politics.”
