Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News

5 minutes read. Updated 4:19AM GMT Thurs, 29August, 2024

In her first public response to the alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor at R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata, President Droupadi Murmu expressed her deep distress, stating she was “dismayed and horrified” by the crime. Addressing the nation on Wednesday, President Murmu called for immediate action, urging the country to confront the “perversion” behind such heinous acts against women.

The President, speaking to news agency PTI, emphasized the need to dismantle societal barriers that contribute to the fear and oppression of women. “Those who share such views then go further and see the female as an object… We owe it to our daughters to remove the hurdles from their path of winning the freedom from fear,” she remarked. Murmu’s comments come at a time when the country is witnessing widespread protests demanding justice for the victim of this latest atrocity.

National Outcry Over Women’s Safety

The President’s statement, titled “Women’s Safety: Enough is Enough,” was a stark reminder of the ongoing battle for women’s rights and safety in India. “No civilized society can allow daughters and sisters to be subjected to such atrocities. The nation is bound to be outraged, and so am I,” President Murmu wrote, capturing the prevailing sentiment of anger and helplessness across the country.

The incident at R G Kar Medical College has sparked a wave of protests in Kolkata, where citizens, doctors, and students have taken to the streets. As rallies and demonstrations continue, the gravity of the situation deepens, reflecting the broader societal issues surrounding the safety of women in India. Read more about the ongoing protests and women’s safety issues in India.

Calls for Systemic Change

The President underscored that despite numerous initiatives and reforms following the notorious Nirbhaya case of 2012, such crimes continue unabated. “Even as students, doctors, and citizens were protesting in Kolkata, criminals remained on the prowl elsewhere. The victims include even kindergarten girls,” she lamented.

Murmu stressed that while initial public outrage following major incidents like Nirbhaya led to legal and social reforms, these changes have not been sufficient to curb the violence. “Did we learn our lessons? As social protests petered out, these incidents got buried into a deep and inaccessible recess of social memory, to be recalled only when another heinous crime takes place,” she said.

Challenging Deep-Rooted Mindsets

President Murmu pointed out that societal attitudes and prejudices are at the heart of such crimes. “This is a rather deplorable mindset… This mindset sees the female as a lesser human being, less powerful, less capable, less intelligent,” she noted. According to the President, this objectification of women by some sections of society is deeply ingrained and must be countered through concerted efforts by both the State and society.

The call for systemic change comes amid rising concerns over the frequency of crimes against women in India. Explore the challenges facing women in India today.

A Rallying Cry for Justice

On Tuesday, a rally organized by the newly formed student group, Chhatra Samaj, demanding justice for the victim, escalated into violent clashes with police in several parts of Kolkata and Howrah. The West Bengal Governor, C V Ananda Bose, condemned the police action against protesters, stating, “What we saw on the streets of Kolkata is the worst that one can expect from a democratically elected government.”

As protests continue, the pressure mounts on local and national authorities to act decisively. Stay updated on the latest developments and responses from Kolkata.

President Murmu’s impassioned appeal is a reminder that the fight for women’s safety and dignity is far from over. As India grapples with its social conscience, the demand for justice, accountability, and real change echoes across the nation.