Protests Demand Justice for Rape and Murder of Trainee Doctor
The tragic case of the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata has sparked widespread outrage and protests across West Bengal and beyond. The incident took place on August 9, 2024, at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the victim was found brutally assaulted and left in a semi-naked state. Since then, the victim’s family and the public have expressed deep dissatisfaction with the handling of the case by the authorities, particularly West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The victim’s father has openly criticized Banerjee’s response, accusing her of doing little to ensure justice for his daughter. He has condemned her appeal to shift focus from the protests to the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations, arguing that the people of Bengal cannot celebrate with happiness while such a horrific crime remains unresolved. The father expressed his grief, stating that for him and his family, Durga Puja will never be the same again without their daughter. He questioned whether Banerjee would have made the same statement if the tragedy had occurred within her own family.
The victim’s mother also spoke out against the chief minister, accusing her of making insensitive remarks and attempting to suppress the protests. She called Banerjee’s request for calm and a return to festivities offensive, especially in light of her family’s immense loss. According to the mother, the state government is trying to throttle the demand for justice just as they throttled her daughter to death.
In response to the incident, junior doctors across West Bengal have led protests demanding swift justice for their colleague. They have been protesting for over a month, calling for the removal of several top officials in the state health department and the Kolkata Police commissioner. Despite a Supreme Court order directing them to resume work by a specific deadline, the doctors have continued their demonstrations, refusing to back down until their demands are met.
Chief Minister Banerjee’s plea for calm has not been well-received by the protestors. She urged the public to return to the Durga Puja festivities and allow the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to complete its investigation. However, the protesting junior doctors have rejected this, stating that they will continue their protests until justice is served. They also criticized the state’s invitation to a meeting with limited representation, seeing it as an attempt to undermine their demands.
The protestors, supported by large sections of the public, have been relentless in seeking justice for the victim. The outrage stems from the belief that the case is being mishandled and that not enough is being done to bring all those involved to justice. Only one person, Sanjay Roy, has been arrested so far, but the victim’s family suspects that more individuals, including those within the hospital administration, might be complicit.
The public demonstrations reflect a broader frustration with how the state government has dealt with the case. The protestors argue that such brutal crimes against women should be met with firm action, and they see the state’s current approach as lacking urgency. They continue to demand accountability and a thorough investigation into the incident, not just by the CBI but also by an independent inquiry.
As the protests continue, the case has become a flashpoint for larger conversations around women’s safety, justice, and the role of the government in addressing such heinous crimes. The victim’s family, still deep in mourning, has vowed to continue fighting for justice, even as the state urges calm. The doctors and the public, meanwhile, remain resolute in their demands, calling for swift and transparent action to ensure that those responsible for the crime are held accountable.