Kolkata Lady Doctor Case: How much longer before India’s women can live without fear? The shocking assault and killing of a 31-year-old woman doctor in Kolkata has left the country grieving and outraged. The cruelty involved has stirred emotions far and wide.
What makes the incident even more painful is its timing — just as India marks 77 years since gaining independence, and with only days left before Raksha Bandhan, a festival where brothers pledge to protect their sister.
Yet, the question remains: how safe are women in this nation? In a country where daughters are honored in words, a young medical professional was attacked inside a state-run hospital and lost her life in a brutal manner, her neck fatally injured by the perpetrator.
Across India, doctors from all levels of the profession have taken to the streets demanding justice. Political circles are abuzz with talk that West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee could face mounting pressure to give up her porition.
In the following report, we’ll walk you through the latest updates in this case, including how the state’s leadership responded to the demands of the medical community.
What Did Mamata Banerjee Mean by Her Folded-Hands Message in the Kolkata Woman Doctor Case?
Nabanna witnessed a tense atmosphere on Thursday. By midday, signs emerged that the protesting junior doctors might finally meet with the state administration. A group of over 30 doctors boarded a bus and headed towards the state secretariat for the discussions.
Specking on the matter, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, ”I have forgiven even those who didn’t step inside from the Nabanna gate… I tried my best.” She went on to add, ”If needed, I am ready to step down. I have no attachment to the Chief Minister’s chair.” She emphasized that her focus was on ensuring justice in the Tilottama case.
Banerjee also remarked, ”I hope people understand — they don’t just want justice, they also want my position. If resigning helps the people, I am ready to do so. What matters to me is that the victim gets justice.”
While the state government maintained that the official delegation should consist of 15 doctors, the protest leaders insisted on having a 30-member team present during the talks to put forward their demands.
What Was Mamata’s Response on Live Streaming the Meeting?
The protesting junior doctors had asked that their meeting with the state administration be broadcast live. However, the government did not agree to this request. This has led many to question the refusal — especially when even proceedings from the Supreme Court are streamed live.
”Why not allow it? What is there to hide?” the junior doctors alleged, suggesting that the Chief Minister might be avoiding public scrutiny.
Mamata Banerjee, however, responded by saying, ”We are open-minded about telecasting, but certain matters need careful consideration, especially when a case is still under trial.” She explained that if, during a live stream, someone made a remark similar to past instances where comments about the Chief Justice became controversial, she or her officials could be held accountable.
She further added, ”For the sake of transparency, we have arranged for videography of the meeting. But we cannot live broadcast the proceeding of cases that are still pending.”
Mamata Banerjee clarified that live streaming of the meeting could not be allowed due to Supreme Court guidelines. ”We also want justice for the victim,” she said, adding that the Kolkata woman doctor case was now beyond the state government’s control. She expressed her willingness to discuss other pressing matters, such as the safety of doctors and improvements to the healthcare system, but reiterated that broadcasting the discussion live was not possible because the case is still under trial.
She noted that despite waiting for two hours, the delegation of doctors did not arrive. ”Even then, we will not take any action against them. They are young, and I will forgive them. I have tried three times to reach out,” Mamata also mentioned that she had informed them in writing that live streaming would not be possible, though the entire meeting could be recorded.
”I wanted to have an open discussion,” she added, while remarking that the junior doctors should act with a more thoughtful approach.
What Did the Junior Doctors Say About Live Streaming?
Speaking about their demand for transparency in the Kolkata woman doctor case at RG Kar Hospital, Dr. Arnab Mukherjee said, ”I came to Nabanna at the Chief Minister’s invitation. While I was putting my phone aside, I asked the officials about the plan for live streaming. They couldn’t give a clear answer. We are not here for ego battles — we are here to seek justice for Abhaya.”
He stressed that the protest was not about pride or political power. ”We are not trying to unseat anyone or play politics. We wanted live streaming so that everything is clear to the public. Does that sound like an ego issue? If the Supreme Court can hold hearings in public view, and its officers can speak to the media openly, then this doesn’t seem like a matter that must be hidden. We are not here to debate issues that are truly sub judice,” he added.
Mamata Banerjee’s Comment on Sanjay Roy Sparks Controversy
On the morning of August 9, Abhaya’s body was discovered at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata. Investigations revealed that Sanjay Roy had entered the hospital around 4:30 p.m., and evidence pointed to him as the perpetrator. DNA tests confirmed a match with Abhaya, establishing that Sanjay Roy had committed the assault. Regardless of whether the name is Sanjay Roy or Sanjay Rai, the fact remains — Sanjay is the accused criminal.
However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism. She appeared to draw a distinction between Sanjay Roy and Sanjay Rai, emphasizing that the accused is ”not from Bengal but from Bihar.” Her statement has been seen by many as introducing a ”Bihari versus Bengali” narrative into the tragic Kolkata incident, sparking widespread debate and anger.
A video of Mamata Banerjee is circulating widely on social media, in which she is seen stressing a particular point. In the clip, it is claimed that the person arrested in the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case is Sanjay Rai, not Sanjay Roy. Reports state the Sanjay Rai had previously been arrested in connection with a tampering incident at Howrah Hospital, along with his associate Aman Raj. Both men are said to be residents of Bihar.
In the video, Mamata Banerjee questions, ”How did Sanjay Roy become a civic volunteer? And how did Aman Raj get appointed as a lab technician in a government hospital? Who is sidelining Bengalis and giving jobs to outsiders?
She further addressed the people of Bihar directly, saying, ”Brothers, we consider you as our own. If you come here to work, treat this place as your home — and it is your responsibility to protect it.”
Mamata Banerjee’s comments have drawn sharp criticism from many, who argue that the criminal’s caste, religion, or place of origin is irrelevant — what matters is the mindset that led to such a brutal attack on Abhaya.
Those who saw Abhaya’s body were left devastated, yet critics say that even in this moment of grief, the Chief Minister is bringing politics into the matter. By framing the incident in terms of Bihar versus Bengal, she has further fueled controversy. While she stated that people from Bihar should treat Bengal as their home and work to protect it, many believe the focus should remain solely on justice for Abhaya.
Conclusion
The Kolkata woman doctor case has shaken the conscience of the entire nation. Beyond political debates and regional divides, the core issue remains the same — ensuring justice for Abhaya and creating a society where women feel safe, whether at work, on the streets, or in their own homes. Every delay, every distraction, takes us further away from that goal.
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