BENGALURU, 15 AUG

On Independence Day on Thursday, Bengaluru experienced a dichotomy of celebrations. As the clock struck midnight, the City resonated with both a poignant protest and a festive revelry.

At Cubbon Park, a candlelight march titled 'Reclaim the Night' brought together around 25 women to show solidarity with the 31-year-old woman post-graduate trainee, who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on 9 August. Speaking to Salar News,  Ankita (name changed) expressed their frustration over the ongoing restrictions faced by women and the lack of progress in securing their rights. “We gathered here to express our feelings and frustration when we have our right to move freely.”

The protest, however, faced an abrupt end when police intervened, leading to a sense of disillusionment among the protesters. Similarly, a resident complex in Whitefield held a candlelight march, drawing over 100 participants who gathered to express solidarity and demand justice.

Bengaluru also saw a host of other celebrations. The flag hoisting by civil society organisations and citizens was held at RBANMS Grounds. Citizen groups such as Bahutva Karnataka, Bee Culture, People's Union for Civil Liberties and Constitutional Observer began celebrations at 5pm on 14 August here. It ended at 1am with the hoisting of the flag and singing of the national anthem at midnight by around 1,000 people.

Similarly, a group of residents from Silk Board planted around 5,000 tree saplings to mark their Independence Day. UIDAI regional office in Bengaluru organized a Child Aadhaar Enrolment Camp at Anganwadi centres at Yelahanka.

Another key highlight of the day was the return of Freedom Jam, a music event held at Bangalore International Centre in Domlur, after 26 years. –Salar News