The brutal assault on a young female doctor in Kolkata is a haunting echo of the horrific tragedy that gripped the nation over a decade ago, the Nirbhaya Delhi gang rape. Once again, confronted with the terrifying reality of how little has changed, how the safety and dignity of women continue to be violated, and how the promises of “never again” have, yet again, fallen short.
In December 2012, the Nirbhaya case shocked the conscience of the nation and the world. A young woman, full of life and dreams, was subjected to an unimaginable horror on the streets of the capital. The brutality of that night was meant to be a turning point for India—a wake-up call that would spur the country into taking decisive action against gender-based violence. Protests erupted, laws were tightened, and for a brief moment, it seemed as if change was possible.
But here we are in 2024, mourning for another bright, young woman whose life was shattered by a similar act of monstrous cruelty. This time, it was a doctor in Kolkata—a woman who had devoted her life to saving others, only to find herself powerless in the face of a violence that transcends time, place, and profession.
The attack on this Kolkata doctor is not just a reminder of Nirbhaya—it is a continuation of the same horrific story. It forces us to confront the fact that despite all the promises, protests, and reforms, we have failed. We have failed to protect our women, failed to change the cultural and societal attitudes that allow such atrocities to persist, and failed to honor the memory of Nirbhaya and countless others like her.
The parallels between the two cases are chilling. Both women were young, educated, and full of promise. Both were brutally attacked while simply going about their lives—Nirbhaya on her way home, the doctor while fulfilling her duty as a healer. Both incidents have left the nation reeling, struggling to comprehend how such barbarity could happen in a society that prides itself on its culture and values.
The initial autopsy indicated that the victim was murdered after being sexually assaulted, police said.It also ruled out suicide, they said, adding that a case has now been registered at the Tala Police Station.
According to the four-page report, there was bleeding from the woman’s private parts, with injury marks in other parts of the body.”There was bleeding from both her eyes and mouth, injuries over the face and nail. The victim was also bleeding from her private parts. She also has injuries in her belly, left leg… neck, in her right hand, ring finger and… lips,” it said.Two lady witnesses and the woman’s mother were present during the autopsy, which was conducted on-camera.
Another senior officer of Kolkata Police said the crime took place between 3 am and 6 am.”Her neck bone was also found broken. It seems that she was first strangulated and then smothered to death. We are waiting for the full report of the autopsy, which will help us identify the culprits,” he said.Later, details emerged that the victim’s glasses were also shattered and shards of the same had pierced her eyes.
The mother reported that she received a call claiming her daughter was ill, only for the hospital to later assert that she had committed suicide. The family accused the hospital and police of trying to cover up the crime and expedite the post-mortem to remove the body quickly .
Protests and Demands
The murder has led to a nationwide strike by doctors, entering its second week, significantly disrupting patient care. Protesters are demanding that the CBI capture all culprits and that the court imposes the maximum punishment. They also seek assurances from the government to prevent future incidents of such violence.
Reclaim The Night
Because the Kolkata rape case , a protest is organised through out west bengal to ask for justice . It is mostly joined by women but lots and lots of men have also joined yesterday’s protest . It is against the fact that when any sexual assault happens always it is said that ‘why she went there’ ‘what was she doing so late at night ‘ even the principal of the medical college hospital said that why she went there why was she alone at that time ? For god’s sake she was fucking doing her duty , she was in 36 hours night duty . So this protest is to convey that women also have as much right to night as mentioned , the night , the city at night not only belongs to men , and it is irresponsible to say that why she was there after she was raped and killed .
1) The Resident Doctors’ Associations (RDAs) in Delhi have announced a joint protest march on August 16. The association stated that the march will commence at 2 pm from Nirman Bhavan in the national capital.
2) The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has declared a 24-hour nationwide strike by doctors practising modern medicine, beginning at 6 AM on Saturday, August 17, and continuing until 6 am on Sunday, August 18.
3) Over 1,000 doctors from private and government hospitals in Goa will refrain from providing outpatient department (OPD) services for 24 hours starting the morning of August 17.
4) Healthcare services at the state-run SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack were disrupted on Thursday as students staged a cease-work protest against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata. Wearing black badges, the students held a sit-in on campus, impacting services in the OPD, OT, and laboratories.
5) The Bharatiya Janata Party Mahila Morcha will hold silent candle marches across all district headquarters on the evening of August 16, 2024, in protest against the rape and murder of a female doctor in West Bengal.
6) The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) announced on Thursday it will resume its strike protesting the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata.
7) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee on Thursday accused the Left of collaborating with the BJP (referred to as “Ram”) to stir unrest in the state.
8) “Left and Ram want to create unrest in Bengal and they both have come together to do this. The people who vandalised RG Kar Hospital and created this ruckus are not connected to the student movement of RG Kar Medical college…,” she said.
9) “…they are outsiders, I have seen as many videos, I have three videos as I can see, in which some people are holding national flags, they are BJP people, and some are DYFI are holding white and red flags,” Banerjee added.
10) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Crime Branch in Kolkata on Thursday summoned five doctors and hospital staff for questioning in connection with the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL REACTIONS
If we pick up any newspaper around you, you’ll see atleast one rape incident happening daily, so why does a victim has to be raped and multiplied badly in order to be taken seriously by a nation and be worthy of protest? Why not rape cases get equal attention for the lacs of survivors?
We saw it during Nirbhaya case, Badaun case, Kathua case, Unnao case, etc. the count never stops. There is a genuine but temporary uproar and few days later, everyone goes back to their normal life. With an estimated 87 rape cases reported daily in India, the Kolkata case has gained prominence largely due to the strong response from the medical community.
Their protests, coupled with nationwide demonstrations, strikes, and political involvement, have amplified the case’s impact, making it a focal point of public and governmental scrutiny.The Kolkata rape and murder case has drawn significant attention due to the involvement of the medical community and political parties. Such cases of sexual violence are distressingly common across India, with previous high-profile incidents like the Nirbhaya case and the recent Hathras case highlighting systemic issues.
A number of opposition BJP leaders, including MLA Agnimitra Paul, visited the hospital and demanded an independent investigation under a magistrate.Ruling Trinamool Congress leader Dr Santanu Sen told reporters: “We want a fair, transparent and thorough probe into the entire incident.
The Mamata Banerjee administration has always been in favour of safety and security of women, said Sen, former national president of the Indian Medical Association.A senior member of the Association of Health Service Doctors, Dr Manas Gumta, alleged that there were attempts to “suppress” the matter.
Supreme Court Intervention
The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognizance of the case, highlighting its national significance. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud led a bench that ordered the formation of a National Task Force (NTF) to address safety issues for medical professionals across India. The NTF is tasked with creating a national protocol to ensure safe and dignified working conditions for doctors, addressing systemic issues exposed by this case.The Court has also directed the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to secure the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to ensure doctors’ safety and allow them to return to work. The Court expressed deep concern over the lack of safety protocols and the systemic issues affecting healthcare professionals.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta criticized the West Bengal government for its handling of the situation, citing a complete failure of law and order, and questioning how such a large mob could enter the hospital without police knowledge. Top observations by the Supreme Court:Setting up, under the authority of this court, a national task force consisting of doctors from different parts of the country, to make recommendations in regard to modalities to be followed across India for ensuring safety at the workplace.National Task Force shall look into safety and other issues and consider to prepare action plan relating to prevent gender-based violence, dignified working space for interns, resident, non-resident doctors.The 10-member NTF is requested to submit an interim report within three weeks, and a final report within two months of comprising.The State of West Bengal will submit a report on 22 August in relation to the vandalism that took place in the hospital premises. We are unable to comprehend how state was not able to handle vandalism at the hospital.
CONCLUSION
It requires more than just stringent legal measures. While learning from international practices may provide some guidance, the root of the problem lies deeper in societal attitudes and cultural norms. To prevent such horrific incidents, it is crucial to confront and change the mindset that devalues and objectifies women. Patriarchy, misogyny, and victim blaming are ingrained in many aspects of daily life and perpetuate a culture of violence and injustice. A comprehensive approach that includes not only legal reforms but also societal education and a shift in cultural attitudes is essential for creating a safer and more equitable environment. Only by addressing these underlying issues can we hope to see meaningful and lasting change.