On the day the Supreme Court held a detailed hearing into the horrific rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital and criticised the Kolkata Police for taking 14 hours to file the complaint, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding “stringent central legislation” to “put an end” to the rising number of rape cases. Mamata pointed out that on an average, nearly 90 incidents of rape take place in India every day and to counter them, special fast-track courts must be set up to complete the trial within 15 days “to ensure speedy justice”. Mamata Banerjee cannot absolve herself of responsibility by writing a letter to the Prime Minister. Why did she take so long to demand special fast-track courts to deal with rape cases? Was it because the RG Kar hospital rape and murder case made national headlines? Her nephew, MP Abhishek Banerjee, cannot absolve his party, tweeting: “In the last 10 days, while the nation was protesting against the RG Kar Medical College incident and demanding justice, 900 rapes took place in different parts of India.”
The question is, why now? Is it because of the national outrage over the rape and murder incident of a doctor? And Mamata points out that it is the duty of the Centre to enact laws. Has she forgotten that law and order is the responsibility of the state government? The hospital where the horrific incident took place is controlled by her state government. The case attracted national attention because her Kolkata police blundered after the incident and showed utter negligence. The state government tried to protect the principal of the medical college and that was why the doctors had to hit the streets. When the Calcutta High Court handed over the case to the CBI, a violent mob of lumpen elements was sent to the hospital to wipe out all traces of evidence related to the case. This multiplied the level of anger among the protesting doctors.
When the Supreme Court took up this case on its own initiative, four senior officials of the medical college were sacked overnight in an attempt to add fuel to the fire. This has deepened the misgivings that are being expressed. And when Mamata and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee found that this incident was causing political damage, they are now trying to shift the target towards the Modi government. It should not be forgotten that it was Mamata’s government that initially opposed handing over the case to the CBI. When political leaders apply double standards, it is difficult to change the general mindset. Ensuring justice for our daughters will then be difficult. When criminals and rapists start feeling that someone will come to their rescue, it will be difficult to instil terror in their hearts. Unless the working style of the police is not changed, it will be difficult to ensure speedy justice and punish those who commit gruesome violations.
As far as the RG Kar hospital case in Kolkata is concerned, there are three aspects now. One: Efforts were made to suppress evidence, shield the culprits and intimidate the protesters. The CBI is now conducting the investigation and the high court is keeping a close watch. It is hoped that the investigation will be over soon and the culprits will be uncovered and punished. Two: Security must be provided to women doctors and female sanitary staff in hospitals. Every parent of women doctors is worried about the safety of their daughter today. No one wants their daughters to work till late night. We cannot allow our daughters to work in an atmosphere of fear. The working conditions must change. Three: There have been frequent incidents of doctors being manhandled and beaten in hospitals when a patient dies. Family members and relatives of the patient attack the doctors. Our doctors cannot be allowed to work in an atmosphere of fear. The national task force will have to look into these aspects while suggesting changes in the working conditions. It is necessary for the task force members to speak to the female doctors, nurses, residents and senior physicians in an open and frank manner and then make suggestions to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has already made it clear that it is not going to give advice but will give directions to ensure the safety of doctors and healthcare workers. Therefore, it is necessary that all aspects are addressed in a systematic and scientific manner and protocols are clearly defined.
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