"Such incidents shouldn't happen after 78 years of independence": Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh on Kolkata doctor's murder

By Amit Kumar
New Delhi [India], August 15 : Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh expressed deep sorrow and pain on Thursday over the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at a medical college in West Bengal's Kolkata. He highlighted the tragic irony of such incidents occurring in a place like Kolkata, where people worship Maa Durga, even after 78 years of independence.
In an interview with ANI, Harivansh spoke about the nationwide agitation sparked by the incident, noting that women across the country are protesting in solidarity with the doctors.
"After 78 years of independence and in the 75th year of the implementation of the Constitution, such an incident has happened in this country, especially in the land where people worship Maa Durga. This land has a long and rich history of equality between men and women, which is why Prime Minister Modi expressed pain from the Red Fort," he said.
He emphasized that there could be no incident more tragic and shocking than this and expressed concern that such incidents are still happening years after independence.
"There cannot be any other incident more tragic and shocking than this. It was clear that the anguish over this incident was visible in the Prime Minister's address and speech to the nation from the Red Fort today," he said, adding that we need to be concerned about such incidents happening years after independence.
The Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman also urged those in power to create an environment that restores trust in the police and administration, noting that law-and-order is a state subject.
"Certainly, those who are in the administration, those who are in power, because law and order is a state subject, should create such an environment because, in this era, trust in the police and administration has decreased. Politics should not have happened in such incidents and the culprits should be punished within the time frame. We will have to ensure that it doesn't happen again," he said.
Harivansh called on the state government and administration to take decisive action against the accused and to work towards reinstating public faith in the system, law, and order. He stressed that every state should ensure that such incidents are not repeated within their jurisdictions.
On August 9, a post-graduate trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The victim's family has alleged that she was raped and murdered. This incident has triggered a nationwide protest by doctors and medical fraternities.