‘We are here because we are angry’

Young people from across West Bengal’s towns and villages came to Kolkata to march in solidarity with those protesting in the nation’s capital

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“Do you know why we hide our faces behind masks? We are hiding our pain behind them,” says Shyamal Manna from a village near Dattapukur in the North 24 Pargannas. “We are here because we are angry.”

The events in Delhi – sparked by a call of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) – have found momentum across the nation. At the protest in Kolkata, beside the regular memes and posters, a lot of young people donned masks of Ironman, Superman and other evil-vanquishing movie characters.

The Kolkata rally held on July 24, started at around 2:45 p.m. from Sealdah station and its destination was Esplanade. Local papers reported tens of thousands had gathered. Around 6 p.m., a minor altercation between protestors and the Kolkata police ended with water cannons being fired.

Ritayan Mukherjee

The Kolkata rally held on July 24, started at around 2:45 p.m. from Sealdah station and its destination was Esplanade

Ritayan Mukherjee

Local papers reported tens of thousands had gathered in solidarity with the protests in Delhi

Ritayan Mukherjee

'Do you know why we hide our faces behind masks? We are hiding our pain behind them'

Ritayan Mukherjee

Protestors donned masks of Ironman, Superman and other evil-vanquishing movie characters

Sabina Khatun is at the protest in Kolkata, one among many women here. She travelled over 100 kilometres to walk in solidarity. “I came for my elder sister. She was our first hope. She was completely lost when the NEET got cancelled,” the 24-year-old says.

“She reappeared for the exam but her score was not up to the mark. Now we don't know what's next,” adds this young girl from Bangaon town in West Bengal. “I am representing her because she is unwell, but this is my future too.”

This reporter spoke to many young people who had come in from rural areas. Sourav Das lives in a village called Piyali, he and his friends are holding up posters with numerous memes. “Memes are very popular in my [rural] area. This is an easy way to express anger or love. So we carried many.”

Ritayan Mukherjee

'Memes are very popular in my [rural] area. This is an easy way to express anger or love'

Ritayan Mukherjee

Many had come from small towns and villages in rural India

And Ruhi, 19, told PARI: “It was saddening the way Delhi police treated the students. I may not become a doctor, but I will support the students. So I came with friends.”

Rishab Bhowmik is 21 years old and has lost a chance at the NEET because of a paper leak and will have to wait to reappear next year. “My elder brother lost his job as a primary teacher because of a teaching scam created by the previous government. Now I lost my chance and have to reappear again next year.”

Walking with his friends he say: “My family’s dream has been shattered both by the state and Indian government.”