Pratyasha Das, 30, a third-year postgraduate trainee (PGT) student at Calcutta Medical College joined those thousands of women in the march in Kolkata.
The rape and murder of the woman doctor at R G Kar Hospital has hit home for Das. The demanding schedule of a PGT course, with long duty hours and often solitary work, has made her acutely aware of the vulnerabilities faced by women. Even though Kolkata is touted as the safest city, the doctor’s fear underscores the stark reality for women.
Her plea for justice for the murdered doctor and a safer society echoed the sentiments of countless women who took to the streets on Wednesday night.
‘It’s crucial to speak up’
As the nation basks in the glow of the 78th Independence Day, Das’s words serve as a stark reminder that for many women, the fight for basic rights is far from over. “I wanted to participate in the ‘Reclaim The Night’ march, but ironically, I felt unsafe walking alone and reaching the protest site,” she confessed.
“I am here to seek justice for someone I relate to. I didn’t feel safe even today. I insisted my male PGT colleagues accompany me while I was coming here. When I was coming to the protest point from my college to this place, which is about 10 minutes walk, there was an empty stretch, and the lights were flickering. Had he not been there I wouldn’t have dared to walk. You see this place is crowded now but when I was walking I could see people staring and making me feel uncomfortable,” she said.
“I have been raised to ignore misbehaviour and eve-teasing, but now I know it’s crucial to speak up,” Das said as her voice filled with determination.
Gender bias, she said, is prevalent in the medical field as well.
In her second year of residency (PGT) for the DRP programme, Das said she went to the Howrah District Hospital. She said she faced such awkward questions about her choice of department. “‘Why have you chosen surgery?’ ‘Why did you choose surgery being a girl?’ They (doctors) wouldn’t even hesitate to ask us if we would be able to handle patients and the stress or pressure or working long hours,” she said.
“I’ve been told to dress appropriately, even in round-neck t-shirts, while my male counterparts face no such scrutiny,” she added.
“People should not judge me by how I dress, how I look, and what I wear. People should see my skills and not my gender. How competent I am as a general surgeon that should matter. I am a 2021 batch PGT and out of 11, there are only four women PGTs. However, out of the six units I am especially proud that my unit is headed by a female surgeon. I am proud of that,” she added.
Seeking true freedom
Despite feeling safe inside her college campus, Das’s sense of security has now been shattered.
Sharing an experience, Das said, “I recently submitted my thesis which is mandatory. After my work and other stuff, I used to walk to the Unit room of my department from my hostel at 2 am. It is a five-minute walk. I have never felt unsafe on my campus. I used to sit there for two hours and after completion, I would come back at 4.30 am. I have done this many times. But no more. I will never do that ever again. I don’t feel safe inside my campus forget about the city.”
While talking to The Indian Express her men colleagues and friends called her twice to check if she was safe. “Everyone is terrified after this incident. My male friends, my parents they all keep on checking if I am okay”.
“What happened at RG Kar was horrifying. She was PGT she must have studied 25 subjects to appear for a three-hour exam and cracked it and she would have got the degree too. On this Independence Day, I wish she gets justice. I don’t believe in God as such but this is the first time in my life that I am feeling the culprits get caught and get stringent punishment.”
As India celebrates its 78th Independence Day, Das’s definition of freedom is clear.
“Real independence would come for women when we would be safe at the workplace, on roads, inside our houses, and everywhere else. Freedom for me is the right to do whatever I want, at whatever hour, wearing whatever, without fear or judgment. I should not have to think about my safety every time over everything. That’s true freedom.”
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