Tag: Kolkata Doctor’s Rape-Murder

‘Nothing Short of Death Penalty in RG Kar Rape Case is Acceptable’

By LokMarg

Debalina Das Majumdar, an MNC professional, reflects on the RG Kar rape-murder case verdict and questions the message we are sending to society. Her views:

Can women ever feel truly safe in a society where one is brutally raped and murdered at her workplace? It took six months to deliver a verdict in Abhaya’s case—six months to address an atrocity that shook the conscience of many.

A court in Kolkata’s Sealdah sentenced Sanjoy Roy to life imprisonment “until his last breath” for the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the state-run RG Kar College and Hospital. Roy, a 35-year-old civic volunteer, was convicted under Sections 64 (punishment for rape), 66 (punishment for causing death or a persistent vegetative state to a woman), and 101 (1) (murder). The ruling, delivered five months after the August 9 incident that sparked outrage and massive protests from doctors in West Bengal, declared that it wasn’t a “rarest of rare” case. The court also ordered the state government to pay ₹17 lakh as compensation to the victim’s family.

I read the entire verdict and feel deeply agitated and disturbed with it. A woman was brutally raped and murdered, that too at her workplace, and yet it was not considered a “rarest of the rare” case! A doctor—someone who had spent her day working tirelessly to help others—was attacked in her own workplace while trying to rest. She was violated, brutalized, and killed. If this does not qualify as rarest of the rare what will?

This thought keeps haunting me. A human being—someone’s daughter, someone’s loved one—was murdered after being sexually assaulted. There were numerous injuries on her body then how is this not rare or heinous enough? I can’t stop thinking about the pain her family must be enduring. This was an atrocious crime. Just imagining her suffering sends shivers down my spine.

I strongly believe there should be a death penalty for such monsters. Life imprisonment feels like a slap on the wrist. And even that can be shortened on grounds of “good behaviour” or health issues. What message does this send to society? Can crimes like these be forgiven?

ALSO READ: ‘Men Continue to Violate Women Without a Shred of Fear’

This is not justice. It’s infuriating. If someone can commit such unspeakable acts and still have a chance to return to society, then what safety do the rest of us have? As a woman, I feel unsafe and agitated. As a human being, I feel heartbroken. We live in a time of advanced technology, awareness, and education, yet these horrors persist. Our legal system needs to be stronger. There must be laws that leave no room for leniency in cases like these.

Awareness must begin from childhood. Children need to understand the consequences of committing crimes. They need to know that heinous acts like rape and murder will lead to the harshest punishments—without exceptions.

Are we so desensitised as a society? We must demand justice not just for this woman, but for every victim who has suffered in silence. If we allow such leniency, what kind of example are we setting for the future? Crimes like these demand the death penalty. We need to set a precedent—one that says unequivocally that such acts will not be tolerated.

My heart aches for the victim, her family, and everyone who has been forced to live with the aftermath of such crimes. We cannot remain silent. We need change. And we need it now.

As told to Mamta Sharma

UP Doctors Express Anguish Over Kolkata Rape

UP Medics Express Anguish Over Kolkata Doctor’s Rape-Murder

By LokMarg

Doctors all over Uttar Pradesh are expressing deep anguish and condemnation over the recent incident of the brutal rape and murder of their female colleague at the RG Kar Medical College Kolkata and are questioning the barbaric way adopted by the Bengal CM Mamta Banerjee to brutally suppress the peaceful protest by the doctors that was also supported by the general public.

The entire country and the world is watching how the CM is making all efforts to clean up the incident and protect those involved in it. Despite the directions of the Supreme Court regarding peaceful protests, that she let loose her police that used all kinds of force to literally punish the doctors for raising their voice for a colleague, we hope that the CBI will unravel the truth, says Dr. Manish Rai.

Dr. Raj Suman Nigam, feels that the fastness of the case depends on the court and it’s now up to the CBI to investigate the case through all angles and prepare its charge sheet with such professionalism (supported with evidences and proofs) that the culprits get the severest of punishment which send shivers to other like minded people.

Welcoming the proactive steps taken by the SC, Dr. Nadeem says that the formation of the National Task Force, with due participation of doctors is a commendable move towards addressing the critical issues of security of healthcare professionals nationwide.

Following the horrific incident, we are now deeply apprehensive about our long pending concerns regarding our security in UP hospitals as it is a state subject. It is deeply disappointing that the state authorities have taken no substantial action to improve the safety and security of doctors in medical colleges and hospitals despite numerous formal communications. This continuous inaction is unacceptable and puts our life at risk, says Dr. Shikha Maurya.

The security protocols of the hospitals should be stringent and no less than those existing at airports and institutions of national importance. Besides, a thorough overhaul of the living conditions and working of doctors (continuous duties of 36 hours and above) is needed, feels Dr. Ashmita Mishra.

We need to evolve as a community and change the way we look at females. Though this is next to impossible, something needs to be done to set an example by awarding the strictest of punishment to the butchers. Off late, the incident has, in a way, united people across the country who are angry and are concerned about our fraternity. The fire (urge) should not burn down and become a medium to rewrite the guidelines for the safety of the community (doctors), feels Dr. Kunwar Vidya Rao.

(PS: All are Junior Residents from Allahabad, Lucknow, Gorakhpur and Varanasi)   

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Monsters of Kolkata Must Get Exemplary Punishment

‘Monsters of Kolkata Must Get Exemplary Punishment; Medical Staff Must Feel Safe’

By LokMarg

Dr Rahul Singh, a Junior Resident in BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur, says it is high time a stringent set of laws was framed for doctors’ safety in the country. His views:

What happened in Kolkata RG Kar Medical College is the most heinous crime against a doctor in this country as far as I can remember. The entire medical community has been shaken to the core. The Kolkata incident is not just an isolated crime and atrocities; doctors have been facing assault for many years; only the intensities vary. Thus, we as a member of the medical fraternity, need to take this tragic incident as a wake-up call, must come together and demand stringent measures towards our own security – once and for all.

The work-related stress of medical staff is not hidden from anyone; the whole world saw it during the Covid times. Time and again, the medical community has raised its voice against the ill-treatment meted out to healthcare staff. The media is full of reports about assaults on doctors on duty by relatives of patients, shortage of doctors and nursing staff, inhuman work hours etc. And yet if we do not even feel safe at our own workplace, then something must really be rotten in our system.

Thankfully, after the nation’s conscience was shaken with the Kolkata rape-murder incident, the Supreme Court has taken the first step towards the safety and security of the medical fraternity by ordering to set up a national task force to deal with this issue.

Baba Raghav Das Medical College fraternity holds a protest against Kolkata incidnet

This is a welcome step but it should not remain on papers, as it happens mostly, and should be made a reality at the earliest.

Incidentally, the status report of the CBI clearly indicates that the heinous crime was botched up obviously under the directions of the state government. The SC has also expressed shock on how all efforts were made to  save the culprits and their bosses. Now we hope that our Kolkata colleague will get a fair justice. Our next course of action will depend on that.

ALSO READ: ‘There Is Something More Sinister In Kolkata Case Than Meets The Eye’

It is disheartening to see that the state machinery wakes up only after a gruesome rape takes place and people come out on the streets in protest. This happens for a couple of months and then it is business as usual. No system is put in place to ensure that such horrific incident do not happen again. While the Kolkata culprits must be brought to justice and given exemplary punishment, there is also need to set in place a mechanism where healthcare workers feel safe while performing their duties in future.

The medical fraternity has a list of long pending demands – some of which have been taken care of in the past few days after nationwide protests. Our demands include installation of CCTV cameras on vulnerable locations, biometric locks in common areas of doctors, lighting in parking and secluded places on the hospital campus, regular and strict checking of relatives and attendants of patients, attached washrooms in all duty areas, female security guards, deployment of round the clock security guards in the areas where doctors perform their duty etc.

Mercifully, the administration has now started the process of installing CCTV cameras in our hospital, so we hope that other demands are also met now.

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As told to Rajat Rai

Something Sinister About Kolkata Rape-Murder Case

‘There Is Something More Sinister About Kolkata Rape-Murder Than What Meets The Eye’

By LokMarg

Sushmita Tiwari, an educator at Delhi Public School, Ghaziabad and a former Radio Jockey, says the full truth must come to light in the RG Kar rape-murder case — no matter how grim. Her views:

The assault on the lady doctor in Kolkata is profoundly shocking and deeply painful to think about. As a woman, it’s unbearable to imagine the suffering she has endured and the fear and anguish she must have felt in her final moments. Such acts of violence are a stark reminder of the cruelty that continues to exist in some sick individuals, showing a level of brutality that is almost beyond comprehension.

Mamata Banerjee and her police reacting late add to the trauma for the victim’s family. When the institutions meant to protect us appear to hesitate, or, attempt to downplay such horrors, it feels like another betrayal. I feel they are trying to cover up and get rid of the evidence.

The possibility that more than one man is involved is chilling, and, if true, it only deepens the atrocity. Women already live with enough fear — knowing that such monsters might work in packs is unbearable.

The rumour of an organ-trading mafia’s involvement, if accurate, takes this crime to an even darker place. While it’s essential to thoroughly investigate every angle, spreading unverified rumours can also harm the pursuit of justice. What’s clear is that the full truth must come to light — no matter how grim.

As for the death penalty, it’s a contentious issue. While some see it as a necessary deterrent, others believe it doesn’t address the root causes of male violence. What is certain is that justice must be severe, swift, and unambiguous in its message.

There is no tolerance for such barbarism in any society that claims to value its women. Indeed, no words can adequately capture my feelings about this incident. It is profoundly distressing and deeply shameful to witness such an atrocity.

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As told to Amit Sengupta