The demand for an improved protective and preventative system for women and health workers is getting louder from activists and doctors across India post the rapist and murderer of a medical intern in Kolkata was caught. Social movements and justice seekers rejected the way the stir-up of the Rape Cases in Kolkata was reacted to.
The Incident and Immediate Reactions
A 31-year-old young doctor, who was working as a trainee, was found dead at an injured point in the teaching hospital of RG Kar Medical College on August 9 showing the rise of Rape Cases in Kolkata. At the beginning of the day, the authorities of the hospital told the parents of the girl that committing suicide was a course of death. The post-mortem report, however, confirmed that there was rape followed by murder. This shock revelation led to calls for the resignation of the college’s principal and massive protests by feminist and medical professionals across India.
Protests and Demands : Rape Cases in Kolkata
A gathering of campaigners under the title “Reclaim the Night” had protests and asked for the principal of RG Kar Medical College to resign. The protests, although largely staves, did see an episode of vandalism against medical college property, which caused police to intervene. Among other things, they also announced the total shut down of some medical facilities as they called for enhanced security and for the victim’s case to be dealt with better justice.
Legal and Governmental Response
The case was shifted to CBI by High Court Calcutta. FORDA, the Federation of Resident Doctors Association, asked for a nationwide stop of elective services using slogans, such as “Please protect us.” They also demanded the firm enactment of the Central Protection Act to shield doctors from violence. The Minister of Health has accepted the protestors’ demands regarding Rape Cases in Kolkata and has pledged to work on the Act in 15 days although, on the other hand, some doctors’ federations and hospitals, including AIIMS and Indira Gandhi Hospital have sustained strikes demanding a clear and efficient solution and the termination of the principal of the college.
Suspect and Investigation
According to local news outlets, the authorities took a civic volunteer named Sanjoy Roy into custody. He was given unlimited access to the hospital function. The victim’s parents said that they suspected the possibility of gang rape whereas the inquiry is in progress.
Broader Context of Sexual Violence in India
In the specific region of India, sexual assault is still too prevalent, with an average of 90 rapes among the overall population in 2022. Even with tougher rules after famous cases, the application is still loose and the criminals normally are buoyed up by the law. Activists are convinced that the reason for this situation lies in the patriarchal discrimination that is part of the Indian culture.
Kolkata’s Previous Safety Record for Rape Cases in Kolkata
Rape Cases in Kolkata was previously a comparatively safe city for women since it had the lowest number of reported rapes among the 19 metropolitan cities in 2021. This recent case alone has been tainted by the past and currently has gained the attention of the national stakeholders and the discussions implemented by politicians and other theorists.
Ongoing Struggles for Doctors’ Safety
This case shows the intersection of violence against women and the problems of overworked medical workers. A January 2015 survey by the Indian Medical Association has informed that over 75% of Indian doctors have faced violence in one form or another. Other cases such as the one in which a section of junior doctors students in Kolkata was assaulted in 2019 resulted in protests of the same kind.
Conclusion
The horrendous rape and murder of the medical intern in Kolkata have shed light on the gaps in the safety of women and various issues concerning the security of medical professionals. The protests taking place currently, as well as the calls for justice for Rape Cases in Kolkata, made by the victims, are indicative of the need for the authorities to amend the existing measures immediately in order to make both women and healthcare providers safe and to protect their rights.