The rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has created an uproar in the entire state, but this is not the first time that such a big uproar has been created in Bengal over rape and murder. Even before this, there has been an uproar in the state's politics over violence against women.
There is uproar over the rape and murder of a junior doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal. Kolkata Police has arrested one accused in the case, but opposition parties are accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of protecting other accused. Strikes and protests are happening continuously. Doctors are also on strike demanding justice. Questions are being raised on the role of the police. When the matter reached the High Court, the court ordered a CBI inquiry. Now the CBI is investigating this case, but allegations and counter-allegations are continuing and Bengal politics has heated up.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a rally on Friday and demanded death penalty for the culprit. Therefore, SUCI has announced Bengal Bandh. BJP and Left also continued protests and clashes throughout the day on Friday. This is not the first time that during the 13-year rule of Mamata Banerjee from 2011 to 2024 in Bengal, there has been no such incident that has caused a stir.
2012, 2022, 2024 Rape cases rocked the nation
So far, during Mamata Banerjee's 13-year rule, 10 such big cases of rape and murder have come to light, which caused a huge uproar. 2012, 2022, 2024… rape cases that shook India. Issues like Hanskhali, Kamduni, Kakdwip, Ranaghat, Siuri, Sandeshkhali came to light during Banerjee's government. She dismissed the rape incident in Hanskhali as a 'case', while she described the protesters in Kamduni as 'CPI(M) supporters' because these protesters raised questions about crimes against women. In May-June 2021, she remained silent when rape complaints were suppressed in Bengal's police stations.
Mamata Banerjee has no control over state power?
Now when yet another rape and murder case in Kolkata has shaken the entire nation, doctors are protesting demanding justice, Mamata Banerjee is protesting. Don't you wonder who they were protesting against? Are you also thinking that this is not a check on state power?
- Park Street Rape Case (2012) , In February 2012, a woman named Suzette Jordan was gang-raped in a moving car after leaving a nightclub on Park Street in Kolkata. The police initially dismissed it as a rumour, but as the case grew, the attackers were eventually arrested and convicted.
- Kamduni gang rape and murder (2013) : June 2013: A college student was gang-raped and murdered in Kamduni village near Kolkata. The incident happened when she was returning home after giving an exam. The brutality of the crime shocked the whole country. There was a lot of protest in this case. Later the case went from the High Court to the Supreme Court.
- Madhyagram Rape Case (2013): In October 2013, a 16-year-old girl was gang-raped twice in two days in Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. After filing a complaint, the victim and her family were threatened and later found dead under mysterious circumstances. The case raised concerns about the safety of the victims and those who dared to report the crime. The case has raised questions and locals and political parties have attacked the Mamata government. There has been a lot of turmoil in the politics of the state.
- Jadavpur University Rape Case (2014) : In September 2014, a female student was molested on the Jadavpur University campus. The administration’s alleged inaction led to widespread protests, called the “Hawk Kolorob” movement.
- Sandeshkhali Rape Case (2020): In October 2020, a minor girl was gang-raped in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district. This misdeed committed by a local youth sparked outrage among the people and a demand for speedy justice was made. There was a lot of uproar in the entire state regarding this case and because the case happened before the 2021 assembly elections, it was heavily politicized before the elections.
- Sakhali rape and murder case (2022) : In April 2022, a 14-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped and murdered in Hanskhali in Nadia district. The incident sparked an uproar with allegations of political influence in shielding the culprits.
- RG Kar Medical College Rape Murder Case (2024) : In August 2024, a young female doctor was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College Hospital in Kolkata. The case sparked widespread public outrage, leading to widespread protests across the state. Doctors across the country not only protested but also went on strike against the allegation of rape and murder of a junior doctor. After the order of the Kolkata High Court, the case is now being investigated by the CBI and it is feared that more accused are involved in this case.