Protests Surge Over Kolkata Doctor Rape and Murder: Mamata Banerjee Sets Deadline for Police
In Kolkata, the tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has sparked widespread outrage, leading to escalating protests. The incident, which occurred last Friday, has deeply shaken the state, prompting immediate action from both the public and the government.
The discovery of the doctor’s body in a seminar hall sent shockwaves throughout the medical community. In response, doctors from various hospitals across West Bengal initiated protests, demanding justice for their slain colleague. The situation intensified on Monday when the principal of RG Kar Medical College, Sandip Ghosh, resigned amid accusations and social media backlash. However, his resignation did not quell the unrest; rather, it fueled further anger among the protesting medical professionals, especially after he was reassigned to Calcutta National Medical College (CNMC).
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed the situation, meeting with the victim’s family and expressing her commitment to resolving the case swiftly. She announced that the state police had been given a deadline until Sunday to apprehend all suspects. If they fail, Banerjee stated that the case would be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), despite her expressed doubts about the agency’s effectiveness.
The protests on Monday evening saw thousands of doctors, nurses, and other medical staff marching to RG Kar Medical College, holding placards and demanding justice. Their grievances were not limited to the incident itself; they also criticized the government’s handling of the situation, particularly the decision to appoint Ghosh to another institution despite the controversy surrounding his tenure at RG Kar.
As the protests grew, doctors and students from CNMC joined the movement, vehemently opposing Ghosh’s new appointment. The protestors made it clear that they would not allow Ghosh to take charge at CNMC, further complicating the government’s attempts to manage the situation.
The Chief Minister’s firm stance included a promise to bring the perpetrators to justice through a fast-track court and seek the death penalty for those involved. She emphasized that the police had been instructed to prioritize this investigation and maintain close communication with the victim’s family throughout the process.
Banerjee also highlighted the government’s actions to date, including the removal of the hospital superintendent and the reassignment of an ACP-rank officer who was responsible for the area where the crime occurred. Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, who accompanied the Chief Minister during her meeting with the victim’s family, reassured them of the police’s commitment to solving the case. He revealed that the police had launched a helpline for doctors to report any suspicions anonymously, and he remained confident that any additional culprits would be apprehended within days.
The reassignment of Sandip Ghosh and the continued unrest among the medical community underscore the deep dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs. Protesters remain resolute in their demands for accountability and justice, signaling a prolonged period of tension unless swift and decisive action is taken.
As the situation develops, the focus remains on the upcoming Sunday deadline. Whether the state police can meet this challenge or whether the case will indeed be handed over to the CBI remains to be seen. The outcome will undoubtedly have significant implications for the state’s governance and the public’s trust in its institutions. The protests, driven by a sense of collective grief and anger, reflect broader concerns about safety, justice, and accountability in West Bengal’s healthcare system.