President Droupadi Murmu has expressed her deep sadness and horror over the brutal rape and murder of a young doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital. This was her first public statement on the incident, which occurred nearly 20 days ago. The President strongly criticized the mindset that views women as inferior, powerless, and less intelligent, describing it as “deplorable.”
Droupadi Murmu Talks About Collective Amnesia
According to reports, President Murmu shared a statement where she emphasized that the tragic incident in Kolkata was not an isolated case but part of a disturbing pattern of violence against women in the country. She condemned the “collective amnesia” that society often falls into, allowing such crimes to be forgotten and leaving women vulnerable to daily harassment and violence.
President Murmu’s Statement
“Enough is enough. No civilized society can allow daughters and sisters to be subjected to such atrocities,” the President declared. She referenced the 2012 Nirbhaya case, which had initially sparked widespread outrage and promises of change. However, despite efforts made, Murmu lamented that the situation remains far from resolved, with many cases of violence against women fading from public memory shortly after the initial protests.
President Acknowledges Other Similar Incidents
The President also indirectly mentioned other recent shocking incidents of violence against women, including the rape of nurses in Uttarakhand and Maharashtra, and numerous sexual assault allegations against actors and directors in the Malayalam film industry. She called for a collective introspection, urging society to confront this “perversion” directly to prevent such crimes from continuing.
Political Clashes Between BJP And TMC
The murder of the doctor in Kolkata sparked nationwide protests, with healthcare workers and civil society activists demanding justice. The case has also led to political clashes, particularly between West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition BJP. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while addressing a gathering, demanded stricter laws for women’s safety and accused the BJP of trying to derail the investigation.
Mamata Banerjee Criticises New Criminal Code
Banerjee expressed her frustration with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has not yet solved the case, despite the Bengal government’s push to conclude the probe quickly. She also criticized the new criminal code for lacking stringent measures against rape and accused the BJP of spreading misinformation using artificial intelligence.
Banerjee Emphasizes Death Penalty For Such Crimes
The West Bengal Chief Minister further stated that the only appropriate punishment for such crimes is the death penalty. She assured the public that her government is committed to ensuring justice for the murdered doctor and announced plans to introduce a new anti-rape law in the state assembly. Banerjee also urged protesting doctors to resume work, stressing that justice must be served swiftly.