RG Kar justice appeal: Dilip Ghosh's mother, sister urge new Bengal govt
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A day after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dilip Ghosh was sworn in as a Minister in West Bengal's first BJP Cabinet, his mother and sister on Sunday, 10 May appealed to the new state government to deliver justice to the post-graduate trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in 2024. The appeal came from the family's residence in Kharagpur, adding a personal and emotional dimension to the political transition underway in the state.
Family Speaks from Kharagpur
Ghosh's sister Subhashini Paria, speaking from their Kharagpur home, expressed hope in her brother's new role. "I am hoping that my brother will look after the state, especially the Jungle Mahal area," she said. She also directed a pointed appeal at the incoming administration: "I appeal to the new BJP government in West Bengal that justice should be delivered to 'Abhaya'."
The victim in the RG Kar rape-murder case is widely referred to as 'Abhaya' across West Bengal — a name that has become symbolic of the broader demand for women's safety in the state.
Mother Pushpalata Ghosh Urges Action on Women's Safety
Dilip Ghosh's mother, Pushpalata Ghosh, expressed pride and optimism over her son's induction into the Cabinet. "He is diligent enough. He will certainly work to fulfill the promises that have been made to the people," she said. Asking nothing for herself, she added: "I will ask him to look after the state and work towards ensuring justice to 'Abhaya' and her family."
She further urged the newly sworn-in government to make women's safety a priority. "Women need safety in the state," she asserted. Dilip Ghosh was welcomed with garlands upon his return to the Kharagpur residence.
West Bengal's New BJP Government Takes Shape
Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as the ninth Chief Minister of West Bengal on Saturday, 9 May. Five ministers took oath alongside him — Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Nisith Pramanik, and Khudiram Tudu — marking the formation of the state's first BJP-led Cabinet.
This is a historic political shift for West Bengal, where the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) had held power for over a decade under Mamata Banerjee. The RG Kar case, which triggered widespread protests across the state in 2024, remains a defining issue that the new government will be expected to address.
What the New CM Has Lined Up
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is scheduled to hold a meeting with top state administration officials on Monday, followed by a separate meeting with District Magistrates in the afternoon. The back-to-back administrative reviews signal an intent to move quickly on governance priorities in the early days of the new government.
With the RG Kar case still fresh in public memory and demands for justice persisting, the new BJP administration faces immediate pressure to demonstrate accountability — not just from political opponents, but, as Sunday's appeal showed, from within its own ministers' families.