On Saturday evening, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bhopal gathered for a candlelight march to protest the tragic death of a female post-graduate trainee at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal.
The march was organised by the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) of AIIMS Bhopal as a tribute to the deceased trainee. The doctors expressed their deep sorrow and gratitude for the support they received during the event.
The protest was not confined to Bhopal alone. At Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi, doctors also rallied for justice, calling for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the incident.
The demonstrators carried signs and chanted slogans demanding a thorough investigation. Dr. Gautam, one of the protesting doctors, stressed the urgency of ensuring safety for women, even within medical campuses where women’s empowerment is emphasised. He urged the government to act quickly and hold the perpetrators accountable.
Another protester, a female doctor, voiced frustration over the slow progress of the investigation and questioned who might be targeted next. Dr. Ritik Ghosh criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s reassurances, pointing out that similar crimes have occurred in the past without sufficient justice.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the government's response, labelling it as inadequate and a disgrace to both the Bengal government and India as a whole. The incident has also provoked political reactions in Kolkata.
Congress workers staged a rally demanding justice, and BJP leaders have been vocal about their demands for a CBI investigation and a re-postmortem conducted by a central government hospital.
BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul, along with Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Suvendu Adhikari, has called for a CBI inquiry, citing concerns over the handling of the case.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar and BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul visited the family of the deceased trainee, criticising the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government for its handling of law and order in the state.
Majumdar condemned the incident as “shameful and horrific,” likening it to the infamous Nirbhaya case in Delhi. He highlighted the inadequate safety measures for women in West Bengal and urged the government to take responsibility and ensure a thorough investigation by the CBI.
The death of the medical student has ignited a political storm in West Bengal, with demands for accountability and a comprehensive investigation growing louder. The incident underscores the broader issue of safety for women in India and the need for effective measures to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
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