A day after Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's cautious comment on the rape-murder of the Kolkata doctor that has left the country in turmoil, Rahul Gandhi's post on social media today raised questions about the handling of the matter by the "local administration" in the state ruled by ally Trinamool Congress.
“The attempt to save the accused instead of providing justice to the victim raises serious questions on the hospital and the local administration,” read the post by Mr Gandhi, strongly condemning the attack.
"This incident has forced us to think that if doctors are not safe in a place like medical college, then how can parents send their daughters outside for studies? Why are even the strict laws made after the Nirbhaya case unsuccessful in preventing such crimes? Every party, every section of the society will have to hold serious discussions and take concrete steps on the continuously increasing incidents against women from Hathras to Unnao, and from Kathua to Kolkata," read a rough translation of his post in Hindi.
कोलकाता में जूनियर डॉक्टर के साथ हुई रेप और मर्डर की वीभत्स घटना से पूरा देश स्तब्ध है। उसके साथ हुए क्रूर और अमानवीय कृत्य की परत दर परत जिस तरह खुल कर सामने आ रही है, उससे डॉक्टर्स कम्युनिटी और महिलाओं के बीच असुरक्षा का माहौल है।
पीड़िता को न्याय दिलाने की जगह आरोपियों को…— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 14, 2024
Comparing it to the Nirbhaya case in which a 23-year-old died over a decade ago after being tortured in a horrifying manner, he added, "The way the layers of the cruel and inhuman act against her are being revealed, there is an atmosphere of insecurity among the doctors' community and women".
Ms Gandhi Vadra broke the Congress's silence on the issue yesterday, describing it as "heartbreaking" and appealed to the Trinamool Congress government for "swift and strict action".
"The sexual assault and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College is heartbreaking. The safety of women at workplace is a huge issue that requires serious efforts. I appeal to the state government for swift and strictest action so that the victim's family and other doctors get justice," read her post on X, formerly Twitter.
Mr Gandhi's criticism comes as pressure is mounting on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government over the horrific murder at the premier state-run hospital in Kolkata.
Not only has the BJP, the Left and leaders of the state Congress — traditional rivals of Ms Banerjee's Trinamool Congress — censured the state government, the matter has also left the civil society shaken.
Women — the strongest constituency of Mamata Banerjee — who had ignored the Sandeshkhali incident and voted overwhelmingly for the party in the recent Lok Sabha election, are holding a midnight march today which is being backed by some of her own party members.
Under the circumstances, criticism from Mr Gandhi, a national ally, could magnify the sting.
The 41-year-old postgraduate doctor had fallen asleep in a seminar room on Thursday night. Early on Friday morning, her partially clothed body, bearing multiple injuries, was found.
The prime suspect is Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police who was stationed at the police outpost at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and had access to all departments.
He was arrested on basis of CCTV footage that showed him entering the building where the doctor was found murdered. A Bluetooth headset found next to the woman's body was seen on his neck in the CCTV footage. It was found to be paired with his phone as well.
Local media has reported that the man admitted to the crime readily. "Hang me if you want," the local media quoted him as saying to the police.
But there is speculation that the circumstances do not indicate that this is an open and shut case. The unanswered questions and discrepancies have spawned multiple conspiracy theories.
The case is now being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation, which took over yesterday after an order from the Calcutta High Court.