Two Calcutta women, Ramanpreet Sodhi and Meghamala Mukherjee, said they were “Muskan Khan in spirit”.

Between the two stood Najmun Nishat, who said Sodhi and Mukherjee “are my pride”.

The three women were part of a candlelight march from Esplanade to the Gandhi statue on Mayo Road organised by civil society groups to protest the attack on Bibi Muskan Khan in Karnataka.

All three were carrying a placard each on Friday evening.

Nishat, a beautician by profession, said the gesture of Sodhi and Mukherjee reflected what India stands for.

“They did not hesitate to look beyond their religious identities when it came to showing their solidarity with Muskan. This is India. This is what India stands for. A group of boys hounding a college student does not represent India,” said Nishat, a resident of Entally.

Sodhi, from Bhowanipore, said she failed to understand how Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who mouths the “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” slogan, could allow what was meted out to Bibi Muskan Khan.

“Now it is time for all to understand that the Prime Minister does not practise what he preaches. I have a son and a daughter. I wonder what example we are setting for our next generation,” said Sodhi, who works in a private firm.

Mukherjee said a collective protest was the only path that will make Muskan Khan feel she is not alone.

“She has made us proud and we will not leave her alone. No one can invade her rights,” said Mukherjee, who runs a business and stays in Dover Lane.