Congress leader Supriya Shrinate has strongly criticized the West Bengal government following the recent rape and murder of a female trainee doctor, questioning why local authorities allegedly attempted to cover up the crime.
In a statement on Thursday, Shrinate condemned the violence that erupted at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata after the incident. She expressed dismay over the administration’s response, highlighting concerns about women’s safety.
“The incident is deeply troubling. It raises a crucial question: Where is the safety for women, who make up half the population? What is happening to women in this country? Why did the local administration attempt to cover up the crime? The violence we witnessed is unacceptable and not a solution to anything,” said Shrinate, who is the chairperson of social media and digital platforms for the Congress communication department.
Congress General Secretary Deepa Dasmunshi also condemned the incident, noting that such cases have become distressingly common under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government. “What happened at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital is tragic, but it’s not the first incident of its kind in Bengal since Mamata Banerjee took office. From Park Street to other cases, the situation is deeply alarming. The presence of 150 grams of semen suggests a gang rape, not just an incident involving one or two men. The state government’s silence is unacceptable; it must be transparent with the public,” she said.
Deepa Dasmunshi criticized Mamata Banerjee’s response, which included suggesting a CBI investigation. “What will the CBI accomplish after all the evidence has been destroyed? The truth must be revealed now. Yesterday, TMC supporters caused further chaos, acting as if they own everything. This kind of ‘dadagiri’ will not be tolerated. The perpetrators must be brought to justice, and Mamata Banerjee needs to understand that our criticism targets her administration, not her personally,” she added.
On Wednesday night, a mob vandalized protest sites and attacked vehicles and public property at the RG Kar hospital campus, prompting security officials to disperse the crowd.
On August 9, a post-graduate trainee doctor was found dead in a seminar hall at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Her family has alleged that she was raped and murdered, leading to widespread protests by doctors and medical communities across the country.