The movement that shook Mamata's stronghold

On August 14, just before India's Independence Day, Kolkata was engulfed in a surge of protests that I had never seen in my lifetime. The call was for women to "occupy the night." Little did I expect that this call would erupt into a storm, sweeping across not just Kolkata but throughout India’s streets, alleys, known and unknown towns, and small cities. I attended a nearby gathering, and soon after, the flood of people swept me along. My wife, struggling with foot pain, and her friend pushed ahead. Today, the call was for half the sky to rise, and so they stood at the forefront.

From the back, I saw countless women, some even bringing their young children, to protest the brutal murder of a young doctor within the historic R.G. Kar Hospital in Kolkata just days earlier. In India's history, this was the first instance of a female doctor being raped and murdered at her workplace, inside a hospital. Perhaps that is why the impact was so severe, sparking cries of "We want justice" across the nation. People were demanding justice.

Based on the information available so far, it is clear that the heinous abuse and subsequent murder of this brilliant young woman was, in legal terms, undoubtedly one of the rarest of the rare crimes. Questions are being raised about whether supporters or members of the ruling Trinamool Congress were involved. While it may not be appropriate to make such allegations, the way the police and administration are trying to cover up the incident raises serious concerns that a powerful network might be involved in her murder.

In a television interview, the victim's mother clearly stated that when she and the girl's father arrived at the hospital after receiving a call from the assistant superintendent, the police treated them with extreme disrespect. Despite repeated requests, they were not even allowed to see their daughter’s dead body. Initially, the hospital and the police tried to claim that the girl had committed suicide. Under pressure, they eventually admitted that she had been brutally raped and murdered. Although one civic volunteer has been arrested so far, there is widespread belief that he is merely a scapegoat.

It is being rumored that, with the backing of influential people, various illegal activities were taking place inside the hospital, including prostitution. The young doctor had uncovered these activities and had threatened to expose them on social media. This courageous stand cost her life. The state’s ruling Trinamool government cannot absolve itself of responsibility.

Mamata Banerjee's politics are populist, catering to the masses. To strengthen her vote bank, she has implemented numerous social schemes but has not made significant efforts to bolster the state's economy permanently. Simultaneously, she provides large financial grants to clubs under the guise of funding for festivals, especially Durga Puja, which have turned into hubs of alcohol consumption and gambling after dusk. Under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership, a culture of lumpenization has taken root, spreading across all sectors, including hospitals. Corruption, rampant illegal earnings, and a culture of consumption are creating social unrest—not just in Kolkata but throughout the state.

Human trafficking of women is a daily occurrence in the state. Tea gardens and various other industries are on the verge of collapse, leaving the people in those areas in dire poverty. The police and administration have long been politicized, and anyone who incurs the chief minister's displeasure is not spared. Democracy exists only in name. Hence, the incident at R.G. Kar Hospital is not an isolated one. Rape is not rare in the state either. How many such cases come to light? When the victim is a tribal, minority, or lower-class girl, we do not raise our voices as loudly—perhaps because these girls do not belong to our familiar society. But this girl was one of our own, from our known society.

Soumitra Dastidar: Indian filmmaker and writer.