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Mainstream, Vol 62 No 38, September 21, 2024

Rape & Murder at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital : Implications in Society and Politics in West Bengal | Sujit Kumar Paul & Souradeep Sarkar

Saturday 28 September 2024

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The Incident and Allegations

On 9th August 9.30 am, a 31-year-old lady who was a trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar room in R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata by a first-year PGT doctor. As per the report, her body was half-dressed. It is on the opinion that the hospital authority and police personnel were not working properly. The principal of the college, when questioned by the media, raised concerns about why the victim was in the seminar room. However, the truth is that the incident took place within the hospital premises, suggesting that there was likely a deliberate motive behind this heinous crime. After the body was found out; they knew that it was not a natural death case. The postmortem report confirmed it was a case of rape and murder, but the parents revealed that hospital authorities initially provided conflicting information. At first, they were told their daughter was unwell, and later, they were informed she had committed suicide. The parents had to wait three to four hours before being allowed to see the body. They also claimed that they were pressured to sign a blank piece of paper, which they refused to do. It was stated by the parents that many persons were going and moving in the room of the incident whereas the place should have been protected by the police. Though the postmortem happened at 6.10 pm, FIR was registered much later at 11.30 pm. Though it was a case of rape and murder but the case was registered by the police as an unnatural death case. The parents said that the police were hurrying up to cremate the body. The parents also said that the police tried to bribe them. A civic volunteer was arrested by Kolkata Police in 10th August for the crime based on their investigation. The police attempted to portray him as the sole accused, but the victim’s parents and several doctors questioned how an outsider could commit such a heinous crime without the involvement or support of someone from within. There was protest for seeking justice over this incident in different parts of the world. A protest named “Reclaim the Night” was constituted all over the world on 14th August night and this time a team of goons attacked the R.G. Kar hospital and the hospital was vandalised. It is claimed to be an event done to destroy all the evidence.

On 12th August due to the mounting pressure on him for the protest the Principal of the Hospital resigned but he was transferred as Principal of another Hospital by the concerned authority of the State. On 13th August in the High Court hearing the judges said in the report that the Principal of the Hospital failed to perform his duties so the court ordered him to ‘proceed on leave’. The High Court stated that there was no significant progress seen in the police investigation so they transferred the case to the CBI. On 18th August the Supreme Court took Suo moto cognizance of the case and the first hearing was held on 20th August. In the hearing, the Supreme Court said that the West Bengal State Government cannot take steps against protesters protesting peacefully against this incident. The court ordered the CISF to take control of the security of the hospital due to the event of vandalism on 14th August and failure of police on that day. The court ordered the CBI to submit a report by 22nd August. On 22nd August Supreme Court constituted a National Task Force to ensure security in medical institutions and to solve problems in these institutions. The Court has expected that the doctors will return to work after the steps taken. On 9th September the hearing of this case resumed, question was raised about the missing receipt of FIR before the post-mortem. The court also ordered the Junior Doctors to resume their duties before 5 p.m. on 10th September, and stated that if they do otherwise the court can’t protect them from any steps taken by the State Government against them. The hearing of the case will again resume at a further date.

Protests and Controversies

Following the incident of this heinous crime, protests erupted among the junior doctors at R.G. Kar Hospital, leading them to halt their work. This was followed by protests from doctors all over the country. A protest named “Reclaim the Night” was called by a researcher of Jadavpur University on the night of 14th August which got an astonishing response, mainly in West Bengal and in parts of India and the World as well.

This day was also marked by act of vandalism by group of goons in the R. G. Kar, which raised questions about the security in the State. Many famous from Medical Super speciality Hospital and Government doctor holding posts in different Doctors’Association openly spoke about the flaws in the steps taken by the hospital authorities and police authorities. It has raised question in the mind of common people about the motive of the State Government authorities. Both the doctors mentioned above were summoned by the police on 18th August. They were accompanied by a huge crowd to Lalbazar (Police Headquarters). Their summon was cancelled in that day and they claimed that police only had a civil discussion with them. An organization named “Chhatra Samaj” called for “Nabanna Abhijan” on 27th August which saw fight between the protesters and police in the capital city of the state. Though the protesters were not able to reach the headquarters of the state but the protests had an impact and there was a struggle between police and protestors for about 4 hours. Many protestors were arrested by protesting which BJP called for strike for 12 hrs next day that is 28th September. Since the TMC government came to power in 2011, this 12-hour strike has had a noticeable impact on the state. On September 2, the junior doctors marched to Lalbazar demanding resignation of the Commissioner of Police (CP). They wanted to hand over their deputation to the CP by themselves. The group was stopped much before their destination and they sat there for more than one day after which they were allowed to go upto their destination and after that a delegation of 22 doctors went to meet the CP and handed him their deputation. On 2nd September,the then Principal of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital with 3 others were arrested by CBI. They were not arrested for the incident but for cases of corruption which was mainly lodged by ex-deputy superintendent of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. In West Bengal and some places of India and the World observed “Reclaim the Night” protest by switching off lights in the houses for 1 hour that is from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. and people came outside lighting candles making human chains by holding hands on the night of 4th September. This protest was made because there was hearing of the case in the Supreme Court on 5th September but it was shifted to 9th September due to illness of the Chief Justice. Again on 8th September “Reclaim the Night” protest was observed. This protest was observed in more than 50 countries including places of India and all-over West Bengal. In Siliguri there was protest on the dawn of 9th September known as “Reclaim the Dawn”. People from all over the society joined the above protests. Many artists protested by giving back the prizes and posts given to them by the State Government. Recently a Rajya Sabha MP from TMC resigned from the post of MP and quit the party.

Though the court has ordered the junior doctors to resume their duty but they have refused to do so before their demands are fulfilled. Their demand was giving proper punishment to all the culprits in the incident and all officials who are engaged in covering up the incident. All those who are involved in corruption in the health system of the state should be brought under law. It is also demanded to develop health infrastructure all over the state including recruiting adequate manpower required to properly run the system. Stating the order of the Supreme Court to return to work, the junior doctors have stated that if their demands are fulfilled within 5 p.m. on 10th September they will think of resuming work. They have also called for Swasthya Bhawan Abhijan on 10th September.

Impact on the Society

A great impact was seen in the society of West Bengal regarding this incident. People from all parts of society from diverse caste, class, economic backgrounds, professions, gender and age etc, joined the protest. This movement can be termed as “Classless Civil Movement”. This movement is continuing over a month without any political leadership and political banner.

This movement was seen in all parts of the state and also in parts of India. This movement had an echo in different countries of the world. Many people have come in this movement under the slogan “We want Justice”. This movement has seen astonishing participation of women. Women have also given leadership in this movement introducing programs like “Reclaim the Night”. This can be seen as a sign of women’s empowerment. It is observed by many social scientists that this movement is very rare and seen after many days in the state. It is also stated by many experts that people’s anger regarding many issues against the State Government in many days has erupted like a volcano and turned into a mass protest on this issue. This movement saw a transmission of social empathy from one set of people to another.

There was overall unity observed in the society regarding joining this protest as the protestors were supported by other citizens by providing like food, water and fans etc. On 17th August the Government of West Bengal introduced some set of protocols regarding participation of women in workplaces. "Ratirer Sathi" (Helpers of Night) was also introduced within this protocol. It was stated that working hours of women will not be above 12 hours. It was also stated that authorities will try to not to give women nights shifts as much as possible. This protocol was highly criticised by all. Women were agitated and saw the protocols as a process of suppressing their rights. Many persons stated that the Government should think of tightening the security not suppressing the rights of women. Many women opined that if the night is not for women, then it is also not for others. So, this event was criticised and questioned by the women on the spirit of the Government. Durga Puja is one of the most renowned festivals in West Bengal. Every year, on this occasion, the State Government provides financial grants to the clubs that organize the celebrations. However, this year, many clubs are protesting by announcing that they will not accept the government’s financial aid. Many Artists have also declared that they will refuse the prizes typically awarded by the government in connection with the Puja celebrations.

Allegations against the State Government and Politics

Regarding this heinous incident many questions and controversies raised against the ruling Government and the party. The hospital authority and police authority were under question about the suspicious steps taken by them in the incident. There was suspicion regarding time of postmortem, process of cremation, presence of unwanted people in the crime scene. The Principal who was in charge of the institution resigned but his resignation was not accepted and he was transferred to another institution. This raised questions about the motive of the Government. There was order given to renovate a room near the alleged crime scene on 10th August day after the body of victim was found by Government officials. The police failed to stop vandalism in the night of 14th August which is claimed to be an attempt to destroy the remaining evidence. The above events raised questions about the integrity of the Government. There was protest all over the state, not only the opposition political parties protested but the general people protested along with doctors. The police started taking steps against the protestors even they summoned the Doctors mentioned above who came in support of the protestors. The ruling party members views are divided. Two Rajya Sabha MPs from the party publicly criticized their own party’s government. Recently, one of these MPs announced their resignation from the post and left the party altogether. There are threats and criticism coming against the protestors from Ministers of the State Government and MLAs and members of the ruling party. A report is submitted in the Supreme Court by the Central Government that the State Government is not giving proper resources and amenities to the CISF officials. It is of the opinion that the incident is the failure of the administration and transparency. In most of the protests, the organizers have to bring in common people, but in this protest a spontaneous response of common people could be found. Like other protests people are not angry while being stopped at the traffic for this protest. Many experts are advocating the fact that they have not seen such a protest in a long time. The impact of this incident is mainly in the urban areas. The rate at which this issue is dispersing will soon impact the rural society as many patients receive treatment from Hospitals in the urban areas. The media reportage has also led to quick spread of the incident and issues regarding it. If this incident continues to spread rapidly and influences the opinions of a large number of ordinary citizens, the ruling party could face significant challenges. All eyes are on the investigation of the CBI and the hearing of the Supreme Court.

(Authors: Prof. Sujit Kumar Paul, Professor of Rural Development & Management, Department of Lifelong Learning and Extension, Visva-Bharati (A Central University) Sriniketan – 731236, Birbhum, West Bengal Email – skpaulrd[at]gmail.com ; Souradeep Sarkar, Research Scholar, Department of Lifelong Learning and Extension, Visva-Bharati (A Central University), Sriniketan – 731236, Birbhum, West Bengal)

References

  • Chandrachud, D.Y. , Pardiwala, J.B. and Misra, M. (2024). Record of Proceedings in Alleged Rape and Murder Incident of a Trainee doctor in R.G. Kar Medical college and Hospital, Kolkata and Related issues. Supreme Court of India.
  • Chandrachud, D.Y. , Pardiwala, J.B. and Misra, M. (2024). Record of Proceedings in Alleged Rape and Murder Incident of a Trainee doctor in R.G. Kar Medical college and Hospital, Kolkata and Related issues. Supreme Court of India.
  • Chandrachud, D.Y. , Pardiwala, J.B. and Misra, M. (2024). Record of Proceedings in Alleged Rape and Murder Incident of a Trainee doctor in R.G. Kar Medical college and Hospital, Kolkata and Related issues. Supreme Court Of India.
  • Sivagnanam, T.S. and Bhattacharya, H. (2024). Record of Proceedings in Alleged Rape and Murder Incident of a Trainee doctor in R.G. Kar Medical college and Hospital, Kolkata and Related issues.Calcutta High Court, Kolkata.

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