The tragic rape and murder of a young female doctor in Kolkata has ignited widespread outrage across India, prompting nationwide protests and a somber reflection on women’s safety. This horrific incident, which occurred earlier this month, has deeply shaken the nation, with countless citizens taking to the streets to demand justice for the victim and safer environments for women, particularly healthcare professionals. In a poignant interview with BBC Hindi, the parents of the deceased doctor shared their memories of their daughter – a bright, ambitious woman whose life was brutally cut short.
To comply with Indian law and protect the privacy of victims, all names and specific family details have been withheld.
“Ensure your father takes his medication on time. Don’t worry about me,” were the last words the 31-year-old doctor spoke to her mother, mere hours before she was violently attacked within the very hospital where she dedicated her service.
The following day brought unimaginable horror. Repeated attempts to contact their daughter went unanswered, the phone ringing incessantly but with no response. Later that morning, the doctor’s body was discovered in the hospital seminar hall, partially clothed and bearing extensive injuries, a grim testament to the brutality she endured. A hospital volunteer has been arrested in connection with this heinous crime, but the scars of this event run much deeper.
The doctor’s tragic death has sparked national conversations about violence against women in India.
The Kolkata doctor case has unleashed a torrent of public anger and grief, echoing across India’s major cities. Massive protests have erupted, and doctors nationwide, under the banner of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), staged a strike, providing only emergency services, to highlight the vulnerability of healthcare workers and demand immediate action.
For the grieving family, their loss is an unfillable void. “At 62, all my dreams are shattered,” the father expressed, his voice heavy with sorrow. Their home, once a haven in a respectable neighborhood, is now besieged by media, a stark reminder of their devastating loss. Journalists and camera crews maintain a constant vigil outside, while police ensure the family’s privacy amidst the intense media attention.
Vigil for Kolkata doctor case, highlighting violence against women in India
Violence against women in India remains a critical issue, with an average of 90 rapes reported daily in 2022.
The brutal crime occurred on the night of August 9th. The young doctor, a junior resident at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, had sought rest in the seminar room after completing a grueling 36-hour shift. Her parents fondly recalled her unwavering dedication to her studies and her relentless pursuit of becoming a doctor.
“We are from a lower middle-class background, and everything we have, we built ourselves. Finances were tight when she was growing up,” her father recounted, sitting in a living room filled with the tools of his trade – a sewing machine, threads, and fabric scraps. He described times when affording even pomegranates, her favorite fruit, was a struggle. “Yet, she never asked for anything for herself.”
Despite societal skepticism, “People said, ‘You can’t make your daughter a doctor’,” the father shared, his voice breaking with emotion. “But my daughter proved everyone wrong. She gained admission to a government medical college.” A relative offered comfort as he wept.
Her mother reminisced about her daughter’s nightly diary entries. “She wrote about her aspirations to win a gold medal in her medical degree. She dreamt of a good life and taking care of us,” she whispered, her voice filled with both pride and sorrow. And indeed, she had.
The doctor’s caring nature extended to her family, particularly her father, who suffers from high blood pressure. “She always made sure I took my medicines on time,” he said. He recalled an incident, “Once, I ran out of medicine and thought I’d get it the next day. But she found out and insisted that no one would eat until the medicine was home, even if it was late at night.” He added, “That’s who she was – she never let me worry.”
Her mother listened, her fingers tracing a gold bangle on her wrist, a cherished memento they had bought together.
Resident doctors protesting for justice in the Kolkata doctor murder case
The Kolkata case highlights safety concerns for healthcare workers, especially women in India.
Marriage was on the horizon for the young doctor; plans were nearly finalized. “She reassured us not to worry and promised to continue supporting us even after her marriage,” her father shared. At these words, the mother’s quiet weeping intensified.
Her gaze drifted towards the staircase leading to her daughter’s room. The door has remained closed since August 10th, a threshold the parents cannot yet bring themselves to cross. They remain in disbelief that such brutality could occur in a place of healing, her workplace. “The hospital should be a safe place,” the father stated, his voice laced with anguish.
Violence against women in India is a pervasive crisis. Government data reveals a staggering average of 90 rapes reported each day in 2022. The doctor’s murder has evoked painful memories of the horrific 2012 Delhi gang rape case, where a 22-year-old physiotherapy intern suffered fatal injuries after being brutally attacked on a moving bus. That case triggered global condemnation and widespread protests, leading to stricter laws against sexual violence in India.
However, despite legal reforms, reported cases of sexual assault continue to rise, and access to justice for women remains a significant challenge. Recently, thousands participated in a “Reclaim the Night” march in Kolkata, demanding safer environments for women across the nation.
The Kolkata doctor case has also brought to the forefront the precarious working conditions and safety concerns faced by healthcare workers, particularly women. Doctors are demanding a thorough and impartial investigation into the murder and are advocating for federal legislation to ensure their protection in the workplace. Federal Health Minister JP Nadda has responded to these concerns, assuring doctors of stricter measures to enhance safety in their professional environments.
But for the victim’s parents, these assurances offer little solace. “We want the harshest punishment for the culprit,” the father declared, his voice firm with resolve. “Our state, our country, and the world are demanding justice for our daughter.”
Read more on this story:
- Raped Indian doctor’s colleague speaks of trauma and pain
- Protest at Indian railway station over alleged abuse of girls
- India gang rape victim’s death sparks outrage
- The rape victim’s mum fighting for India’s daughters
- What do Delhi rape hangings mean for women?
