Kolkata/IBNS: After facing massive flak for calling the RG Kar rape-murder a "stray incident" and an "accident",  former Indian cricket captain and ex-BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly, his wife Dona and daughter Sana joined the ongoing protest demanding justice for the victim on Wednesday.

The protest was organised by Dikshamanjari, a dance school headed by Sourav's wife Dona.

Sourav participated in the rally that was held from the institution covering Behala Chowrasta and local areas.

With candles lit up, the protesters, mostly students of the dance school, were seen singing Rabindranath Tagore's song "Aguner Parashmani Chhoaon Prane", besides raising slogans like 'Dikshamanjari Dichhe Daak' and  'Tilottama Bichar Paak'.

Braving the heavy rain, Dona Ganguly told reporters: "We are united. Our protest is against rape. The culprits must be punished. We want all women to be safe. Fundamental thoughts in our society need to change for it to become a better and safer place. We have every right to work at night. We believe in equality." 

Their daughter Sana said: "Be it rain or fire, this protest should go on. We want justice. We are all in this together."

Sourav Ganguly faces flak over his remarks

Earlier, Sourav Ganguly received massive flak for his remark on the incident.

In response to the incident, Sourav last Sunday said, "It's very unfortunate. There should be strict action against it. It's terrible. I don't think it is appropriate to judge safety issues based on a stray incident. It is just one of the incidents. Such accidents happen in all parts of the world but this has to be strictly dealt with."

Actress Sreelekha Mitra, known for her outspokenness and support to the Left, slammed Sourav Ganguly for calling the incident a stray one.

"I am really sad Sourav that you let down the same people who put you on a pedestal and called you Maharaj for your cricket and the popularity of  your Dadagiri (TV show). And you are calling this a stray incident?," said Mitra.

She said people have been exposed and they should be brought down for what they are.

Actress Swastika Mukherjee too lashed out at Ganguly saying, "RAPE and MURDER is not ACCIDENT. It is definitely NOT A STRAY INCIDENT EITHER... Our BELOVED ICON - I wish you didn’t belittle this act of violence. I wish."

Clarification

Facing backlash, Sourav at a separate event on Saturday reiterated that the RG Kar incident is "terrible" and "strict punishment" should be meted out.

The former skipper said, "I don't know how it was construed and interpreted. It was a terrible thing. I want strict punishment for the culprits so that people don't think of committing such crimes ever again. Punishment has to be very severe."

Commenting on the strike by doctors in hospitals, he said, "Protest and all is fine but people need medical services too. Doctor community is very important for people on an emergency basis."