A statue symbolising the agony of a trainee doctor, who was raped and murdered at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College in August, has ignited a controversy.
Erected by protesting junior doctors of the hospital, the statue—called Cry of the Hour—depicts a woman crying out in anguish, capturing the horror of the victim’s final moments.
Installed on a pedestal outside the hospital’s administrative building, the statue has drawn a fierce backlash on social media, with many branding it as “disrespectful” and “disturbing”.
The backlash has also sparked political reactions, as leaders and online users condemned the use of the victim’s likeness.
Symbol or sensationalism?
“This statue is not of the victim, but a symbol of the pain and torture she endured and a representation of our ongoing protests,” a junior doctor involved in the installation said media person.
The statue’s creator, artist Asit Sain, defended his work, saying that it is meant to illustrate the anguish experienced by the trainee doctor in her final moments.
However, critics argue that the installation’s portrayal of pain does little to honour the victim’s memory.
Social media users reacted strongly against the statue, calling it a grotesque and tone-deaf depiction.
“Want her statue to be erected? Do it with anything other than it being her agonised face or whatever. Whatever the f*** this is, is highly disturbing,” tweeted one user.
“Speechless at how insensitive this is. To have one’s pain immortalised, to only be known for being sexually violated. I hope this disgusting statue is destroyed,” wrote another user.
Political backlash
Adding fuel to the fire, Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh criticised the statue’s installation, saying it was a violation of the Supreme Court’s guidelines against revealing a victim’s identity.
“No responsible person can do that. Not even in the name of art. There will be protests and demands for justice. But the statue is not right with the face of the girl in pain. There are guidelines not to use the victim’s pictures or statues,” Ghosh tweeted.
Hospital authorities respond
Amidst the uproar, Dr Debdutt of RG Kar hospital defended the installation, stating that the sculpture does not breach any regulations or court orders. “We have not broken any rules or neglected the court's order.
This is just a symbolic sculpture, and we don’t want to depict only her. We want to show the authorities what had happened and how she had suffered. We will continue to fight for justice,” he asserted.
Protests persist
The statue’s installation coincides with the junior doctors’ ongoing agitation against the West Bengal government for failing to fulfil assurances made in mid-September, which included improving hospital safety.
The doctors resumed their strike this week, accusing the state of reneging on promises to enhance security following the trainee’s tragic death.
Their demands include installing CCTV cameras across hospital premises, providing 24/7 security for healthcare workers, and implementing stricter protocols to prevent incidents of violence against medical professionals.
The junior doctors are adamant that the installation is a stark reminder of their continued struggle for a safer working environment.
Despite the criticisms and the government’s silence on the statue, they vow to keep up their agitation until tangible measures are enacted.
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