Kolkata doctor’s Rape-MurderThe year was 2022 when a Bengali ‘bhadralok’, who happens to be an authority on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, saw his stature rising rapidly in Trinamool Congress.
In a surprising turn of events, Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, chose an unconventional setting for a recent informal meeting with her party’s MPs in Delhi. The gathering took place at the official residence of Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, a prominent figure within the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Roy, who was appointed the TMC’s Haryana in-charge a year ago as part of the party’s national expansion strategy, has seen his political trajectory rise steeply since. His elevation continued with his appointment as the editor of the party’s mouthpiece, Jago Bangla, following the ousting of Partha Chatterjee, a state minister embroiled in a job scam.
Fast forward to 2024, and Roy has found himself at the center of a major controversy. The RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case involving a junior doctor has ignited widespread outrage across India. Amid the chaos, Roy has taken an unexpected stance, aligning himself more with the protesters than with the TMC’s official position.
While the party was still grappling with its response to the shocking incident, Roy initiated a sit-in protest, which he dubbed a ‘satyagraha’. During this protest, he publicly criticized the Kolkata Police’s handling of the investigation, alleging serious deficiencies. This marked a departure from the party’s more cautious approach and seemed to place Roy at odds with the TMC leadership.
Further intensifying the situation, Roy sent a controversial letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, outlining his proposals for a new, stringent law aimed at preventing atrocities against women in various public and private spaces. His suggestions included measures like deploying armed female guards and establishing a minimum of three fast-track courts in every district to expedite legal proceedings. Although the letter was sent on Roy’s official letterhead, he presented it as a personal initiative.
The situation escalated when Roy took to Twitter, making a series of provocative demands. He called for the custodial interrogation of both the former principal of RG Kar Hospital and the Kolkata Police Commissioner, questioning the official narrative that the incident was a suicide. He also suggested that the CBI investigate the influence behind his own rise to prominence and criticized the police for allegedly using sniffer dogs only after a delay.
In response, the Kolkata Police issued a notice to Roy, requesting his presence for questioning. They disputed Roy’s claims about the timing of the sniffer dog deployment, asserting that the canines were utilized on two separate occasions prior to the alleged delay. This controversy was exacerbated by the fact that Roy’s allegations included accusations against the police commissioner, further inflaming the situation.
In an effort to preempt potential legal repercussions, Roy sought anticipatory bail from the Calcutta High Court, with his lawyer labeling the police notice as an instance of “excessive action.” Meanwhile, Roy’s social media activity has seen a remarkable surge in engagement. His posts, which previously had modest reach, now attract substantial attention. His tweet announcing the dharna achieved 144,000 impressions, while his call for custodial interrogation garnered 112,000 impressions within a few hours. Even his appeal to football fans to unite in protest drew 43,000 impressions rapidly.na
The episode has also had an impact on Kolkata’s soccer culture. A highly anticipated football match between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal was canceled due to concerns of potential unrest, a decision that led to an impromptu demonstration by fans from both sides, who were subsequently detained. Roy seized this moment to issue a call for unified protest against what he described as “arbitrary arrests,” further cementing his position as a polarizing yet influential figure.
Kolkata Doctor's rape-murder: Victim's father says 'not possible for one person'
Demand for Justice in Kolkata Doctor's Rape-Murder Case
In a harrowing turn of events, the father of the Kolkata doctor who was brutally raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has expressed his deep disillusionment with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The father, who initially had full faith in Banerjee’s leadership, now believes that the Chief Minister is failing to deliver justice for his daughter.
The young doctor, a postgraduate trainee, was found dead on August 9 in the seminar room of the hospital where she had gone to rest after an exhausting 36-hour shift. She was subjected to severe sexual assault and torture before being smothered to death. The victim’s father stated that the extent of her injuries suggests that multiple perpetrators were involved, a view echoed by numerous medical professionals he consulted.
Initially, the family felt secure in the belief that their daughter would be safe within the hospital, where they had taken measures to ensure her safety, including providing her with a car for safe travel. However, the brutal reality of the crime has shattered their trust in the local authorities and the Chief Minister’s promises of safety for women.
In response to the incident, doctors nationwide have taken to the streets, staging protests and strikes to demand justice for the victim. The police have arrested Sanjoy Roy, a Kolkata police civic volunteer, who has been identified as a suspect in the case. Evidence including a Bluetooth headphone linked to Roy’s phone was found at the crime scene, corroborating his involvement.
Further compounding the situation, the victim’s mother has criticized Mamata Banerjee’s women’s safety initiatives as ineffective, urging that the focus should first be on ensuring that women like their daughter are secure in their everyday environments.
In light of the growing public outcry and calls for immediate action, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has urged both Chief Minister Banerjee and Governor C.V. Ananda Bose to take decisive steps. In response, Governor Bose has convened an emergency meeting with a diverse group from Bengal society to review the actions taken in the case and to solicit public input on the matter.