City Terror in RG Kar: Peaceful Haven Faced Unnerving Calm
In the heart of Kolkata, RG Kar Medical College and Hospital continues to grapple with the aftermath of a tragic incident that occurred a year ago. The rape of a 31-year-old doctor during a night shift has remained a contentious issue, with her parents persistently fighting for justice.
The hospital's environment has undergone a significant transformation since the incident. RG Kar Medical College now boasts increased security, with the presence of police, including women cops, and personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) patrolling the campus. The internal environments of the hospital are now far safer, thanks to the installation of numerous CCTV cameras, floodlights, and permanent armed CISF personnel[2].
However, the story is different at other nearby hospitals, where security concerns persist. Limited personnel, poor lighting, and unmonitored entry points continue to raise safety concerns[2].
The government has promised enhanced safety measures, such as the deployment of women volunteers at night ('Rattirer Sathi'), safe zones with CCTV monitoring, emergency alert mobile apps for women workers, and drafting of workplace safety rules. However, activists and stakeholders criticize these measures as largely unimplemented or ineffective on the ground[1][3]. Many women report not seeing such volunteers or feeling truly safe in public spaces at night.
The legal proceedings related to the RG Kar case itself continue, with the prime accused already convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in January. Other cases, such as evidence tampering, remain under investigation[4].
The incident at RG Kar Hospital has sparked public protests and demands for justice and greater safety. The case gained media attention and was referred to as "Abhaya," similar to the 2012 Delhi rape case known as "Nirbhaya."
The doctor's body was found in a seminar room the following morning, leading to investigations by the Kolkata Police and later the CBI. Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, was arrested in connection with the doctor's murder on August 10.
The incident has raised questions about the safety of Kolkata, despite its reputation as a safe city. In 2022, Kolkata topped the safety charts among all metro cities, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), with 86.5 cognizable offenses per lakh population. However, the city's position in the list for 2023 has not yet been released.
The incident has also provided the opposition BJP with fresh ammunition to target the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool government. Amit Malviya, BJP's media cell chief, criticized the government for trying to suppress the protests that followed the rape incident. The government's response to the protests included rolling out guard rails and water cannons to control the crowds.
The Bengal government sought the death penalty for Roy, but the Calcutta High Court rejected the request. Roy's sentencing to life imprisonment has not quelled the doctor's parents' fight for justice.
RG Kar Hospital is a significant landmark in Kolkata, serving a large population from the city's north and West Bengal. The incident has cast a shadow over the hospital's reputation and raised concerns about the safety of all medical professionals working in the city's hospitals.
In summary, while security at RG Kar Medical College has been strengthened, the broader reality of women's safety in Kolkata remains problematic. Activists note a lack of tangible improvements in public safety infrastructure and enforcement, despite government promises and some policy measures drafted since the RG Kar incident[1][2][3]. The fight for justice and safety continues, as the city strives to address the concerns raised by the tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
- In light of the controversial rape case at RG Kar Medical College, discussions have expanded beyond health-and-wellness to involve politics and general-news, as activists and citizens question the government's response to women's health and safety concerns.
- The tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College has highlighted the importance of crime-and-justice system efficiency, with the public scrutinizing the CBI's investigation and the judiciary'ssentencing processes.
- The safety reforms initiated in the wake of the RG Kar Medical College incident, such as the deployment of women volunteers and the creation of safe zones, can serve as models for broader health-and-wellness policies targeting womens-health nationwide.
