In a city of protests, a small group of people cutting across faiths and religions prayed for the 31-year-old junior doctor who was raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
On Monday evening, the motley group at the Archbishop’s House did not shout slogans. The atmosphere was sombre and melancholic. The participants lit candles, offered flowers and sang hymns.
“...the circumstances are so urgent that we must come together, followers of different faiths traditions, representatives, and offer our prayers to a person whose mission was to save lives, a doctor. While for others life comes to its natural end maybe due to age or illness, but here was an occasion when life was cut short and so brutally. It has affected all of us irrespective of our religions, traditions...,” said Reverend Thomas D’Souza, the archbishop of Calcutta.
United Interfaith Foundation-India organised the prayer meet, which underscored that “unity and humanity” transcend religious boundaries. Members of every faith stood in solidarity with the woman’s grieving family.
“Today also happens to be Raksha Bandhan and it is an occasion to assure our sisters that safety can come from everyone in society... We also pray that everyone is respected. Respect the women in society, their dignity be upheld at all times and they always be safe, is our prayer. And may this young doctor who has in a way brought us together in a special situation and circumstance be at peace,” said the archbishop.
Sister Asmita from the Brahma Kumaris; Moulana Badhshah Imam, the Imam of Sola Aana Masjid; Moulana Syed Meher Abbas Rizvi of Shahi Imambara Metiabruz; and Swami Achyutananda of the International Vedanta Society were among those present at the gathering.
“Our collective prayers can offer strength and solace to those who need it most,” said Satnam Singh Ahluwalia, general secretary, United Interfaith Foundation-India. “We condemn what happened with the woman,” he said.
On Sunday evening, members of the Sikh community prayed at Gurdwara Behala seeking peace and justice for the woman.
