Hypocritical outrage
text_fields
Public outrage is continuing in the incident of rape and murder of the female doctor in Dr RG Kar Medical College Hospital in Kolkata. The second-year post-graduate trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of the Chest Medicine department while on duty. This incident, and the West Bengal government's response, have triggered widespread protests. The medical college falls under the state health department, which is headed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The police, responsible for taking action in the crime that occurred within the hospital, are also under the Home Department, which is headed by the Chief Minister. There are allegations that there was an initial attempt to cover up the incident and protect the culprits. Two text messages were received by the deceased doctor's relatives. The first stated that the doctor was unwell, and the second claimed that she had committed suicide. Even though the doctors believed it was murder, such false information was circulated. There are allegations that an attempt was made to divert the investigation. The investigation only gained momentum after the incident received national attention. A person arrested by the police on 9 August, the day of the incident, is a 'police volunteer'. It is said that Sanjay Roy has connections with higher-ups in the Kolkata police. Dr. Sandeep Ghosh, the medical college principal who has been previously accused and holds considerable influence in the administration, is also under scrutiny.
Following complaints, including from the relatives of the deceased, that the state police investigation was unsatisfactory, the Calcutta High Court ordered the case to be handed over to the CBI. Though Sandeep Ghosh resigned, the government immediately appointed him as the principal of Calcutta National Medical College, sparking widespread public outcry. Matters escalated to the point where the court had to intervene and order Ghosh to be placed on extended leave. Only after this did the Chief Minister respond, expressing moral rage and demanding the death penalty for those guilty. However, it is undeniable that the government had protected Ghosh for a considerable period, despite his being accused of corruption and misconduct. Akhtar Ali, a former colleague, had previously lodged a complaint against Ghosh with the Vigilance Department, but it was Akhtar Ali who was transferred. Even when he was twice transferred from RG Kar Medical College, Sandeep Ghosh managed to return to the same position. The extent of this undue influence drew criticism even from the Calcutta High Court.
Despite all this, what should be noted is the hypocrisy behind the moral outrage expressed by certain quarters in this incident. When the BJP handles this issue as part of its political battle against the TMC in West Bengal, they are downplaying a serious crime. Rape and murder are a pandemic that has afflicted Indian society. Both state governments and the Union government have failed miserably in preventing this. The same Prime Minister who expressed shock and outrage at the Kolkata incident had previously sought votes for Prajwal Revanna, who is alleged to have committed hundreds of rapes. The culprits who raped and killed a Dalit girl in a BJP MP's house in Uttar Pradesh received ample support from the government. When sports stars publicly pointed fingers at the president of the wrestling federation, the government sided with the accused. The Modi government facilitated the release from prison of 11 people convicted of gang-raping Bilkis Bano. What credibility is left when the same Prime Minister, in the wake of the Kolkata incident, says that 'punishing the culprits is essential to restore faith in the government, judiciary, and civil society'? When Mamata, like Modi, talks about the need for the death penalty to instil fear in criminals, those criminals from those who have gained public acceptance through the power of governance, to those who have been released from prison before completing their sentence, will be smirking.
