'We are still stuck in 2012, politics to shift focus': Nirbhaya's mother on Kolkata's RG Kar rape-murder incident
Times of India | 18 August 2024
NEW DELHI: Asha Devi, the mother of Nirbhaya, expressed her outrage over the rape and murder of a female resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
She described the incident as "the most unfortunate thing that has happened" and criticized the political blame game surrounding the case, urging the focus to shift towards women's safety and legal reforms.
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Asha Devi criticized the West Bengal chief minister for participating in protests and demanding capital punishment, despite having authority over the health ministry, police and legal system.
"The Health Ministry and the police fall under the chief minister's jurisdiction. I don't understand whom she is protesting against or from whom she is demanding capital punishment. The law is in her hands; the government can at least ensure the case is properly presented to the lower court," she said.
Reflecting on the Nirbhaya case, Asha Devi questioned the progress that had been made since the 2012 incident.
"What have we learned from the Nirbhaya incident? What changes have been made to the system? ... We are still stuck in 2012" she said.
She also demanded swift and appropriate punishment for all those involved in the case and voiced concerns about women's safety in general.
"If more than one person was involved, all the accused must be apprehended immediately and punished without delay. It is still unclear whether the victim was assaulted by one person or gang-raped. Such a heinous crime occurred while a doctor was on duty in a hospital. If doctors are not safe inside hospitals, what hope is there for the safety of ordinary women and girls?" she said.
Demands CM Mamata Banerjee resignation
She further demanded the resignation of Mamata Banerjee.
She criticized Banerjee for failing to take decisive action against the culprits and accused her of diverting public attention by organizing protests.
"Instead of using her authority to take action against the culprits, Mamata Banerjee is trying to mislead the public," she said.
Devi further emphasized her point by saying, "Mamata Banerjee is protesting to divert people's attention from this issue.
"She herself is a woman. She should have taken strict action against the culprits while discharging her responsibility as the head of the state. She should resign because she has failed to handle the situation," she added further.
Mamata Banerjee led a protest rally from Moulali to Dorina Crossing in Kolkata, demanding justice for the woman doctor. During the rally, she called for the culprits to be hanged on Friday.
The incident occurred on August 9, when a postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.
This sparked nationwide strikes and protests by the medical community.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)