Kolkata: Junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital have unveiled a sculpture titled “Cry of the Hour”, paying tribute to a 29-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor who was brutally raped and murdered at the hospital on August 9. Created by renowned artist Asit Sain, the sculpture depicts the pain and trauma experienced by the victim.
The fibreglass bust, placed on a pedestal in front of the PGB Gardens near the principal’s office, portrays a woman screaming. The pedestal inscription explains that the sculpture represents “Abhaya”, a symbol of the "hellish brutality" the victim suffered. “It is an emotional moment for us,” said a junior doctor, as per a TIE report. “She was our colleague. We have been fighting for her. She is in our heart, but this installation will ensure no one ever forgets her.”
#justiceforAbhya “Cry of the Hour””The Agony, the Pain, the Suffering…A poignant depiction of the unbearable trauma Abhaya enduredToday A #statue erected in memory of the rape and murder victim at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital”#MedTwitter#medX#rgkarprotestpic.twitter.com/Pek84iAsNj
— Indian Doctor🇮🇳 (@Indian__doctor) October 2, 2024
Another junior doctor explained to PTI, "This statue is not of the victim, but a symbol of the pain, torture she went through, and the ongoing protests."
While the statue was meant to honour the victim and raise awareness, it has faced backlash on social media, with many finding it disrespectful. One user on X (formerly Twitter) commented, “The doctors of this country are so tone deaf. Why would you ever create a statue like this based on a rape victim?” Others questioned the decision, asking, “Who thought this was a good idea? Who approved this?”
Another X user criticised the statue, writing, “Indian women can’t even be remembered with pride. It’s either perpetually be in pain or be forgotten.”
The unveiling of the sculpture coincides with growing protests by junior doctors demanding justice for their colleague. Thousands took part in a protest march organised by the Bengal Junior Doctors' Front, starting from College Street and ending at Esplanade, urging the government to take decisive action to improve safety measures for healthcare workers. The doctors have vowed to continue their protests until significant changes are made.