Reclaiming the Night: A Case Study on Reception of #JusticeForRGKar on Selected Social Media Platforms
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St. Xavier's University, Kolkata
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Berhampur University India
Abstract
“Reclaim the Night” or “Night is Ours” is a mass movement sparked by the demand for justice in the rape and murder case of a junior doctor at Radha Gobinda Kar Medical College in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The movement has underscored the transformative power of social media in mobilizing people from various walks of life, as thousands congregated in the streets to advocate for justice and demand safety for women in the workplace. Employing Goffman’s framing theory, this study examines how social media enabled extensive awareness, solidarity, and collective action among various communities through the analysis of digital activism strategies. Using a qualitative approach, this study investigates the intersection of gender, justice, and digital activism, focusing on how social media posts, news reports, and protest coverage fuelled solidarity and global awareness. This research underscores the significant impact of social media in sustaining grassroots movements, particularly in challenging traditional power structures and ensuring that marginalized voices are heard. Hashtags, such as #JusticeForRGKar; online group; and worldwide solidarity activities highlight the importance of digital activism in the long-term success of social movements. All of the visuals work together to amplify the core messages of defiance, unity, and systematic reform.
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Author Biographies
Tanmay Samanta is currently serving as a faculty member in the Department of Mass Communication at St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata. He is also pursuing a PhD in Journalism and Mass Communication from Parul University, Gujarat. He possesses a well-rounded skill set with a rich experience spanning 18 years, including 10 years in the media industry and eight years in academia. He is a journalist, photographer, video editor, graphic artist, blogger, digital content creator, and writer. His research interests include modern design concepts, color theory, artificial intelligence in media, social and digital media, film, animation, graphics, and new age education. His research has been well-received and appreciated at several internationally renowned conferences, including the IAMCR.
Sraya Banerjee is a doctoral research scholar in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Berhampur University, Odisha. She is concurrently serving as a faculty member in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Sadhu Ramchand Murmu University of Jhargram, West Bengal. Her research interests are situated at the intersection of women and media, tribal and rural studies, and media communication, with a specific emphasis on inclusive development, indigenous epistemologies, and the role of media in shaping marginalized narratives. Her academic work is grounded in field-based qualitative methodologies and informed by interdisciplinary frameworks that draw from communication studies, cultural anthropology, and social justice discourse. Banerjee’s scholarship critically engages with community-centric media practices, particularly focusing on the transformative potential of communication technologies in empowering indigenous women and preserving local knowledge systems.