What Happened on the Anniversary of the RG Kar Case?

Kolkata, Aug 10 (NationPress) The first anniversary of the rape and murder of a junior female doctor at the West Bengal-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata was overshadowed by significant violence. This erupted after a confrontation between police and protesters involved in the Nabanna Avijan (March to State Secretariat) rally organized by the victim's family.

The victim's mother had to be hospitalized after becoming unwell amid police action against the demonstrators.

She claimed that she was assaulted by police officers when she, along with her spouse and fellow protesters, attempted to advance towards Nabanna (State Secretariat).

Additionally, both the victim's mother and BJP leaders asserted that during the police action, her sacred conch shell-bangle, a traditional symbol of married Hindu women, was shattered.

"We were unarmed. Yet, the police obstructed us. Why are they frightened of us? The police assaulted me and broke my Sankha-Pola. They threw me onto the ground and kicked me," the victim's mother stated.

She further claimed that four to five police officers handled her roughly during the clash.

However, law enforcement denied any allegations of using excessive force against the victim's parents.

Deputy Commissioner Of Police (Port), Harikrishna Pai, informed reporters, "We have not received any reports of the victim's parents being assaulted by the police at the Park Street crossing. However, their claims will be thoroughly investigated."

Accompanied by BJP legislators, including Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari, the victim's family marched from Dorina Crossing to Nabanna, located at Mandirtala in the adjacent Howrah district, demanding justice for their daughter.

They also called for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her failure to protect women in the state.

"The police were unable to save my daughter or deliver justice, yet they had no qualms about assaulting women and elderly individuals," remarked the victim's mother.

The Trinamool Congress party alleged that the BJP was attempting to intimidate citizens and sow division in society on Raksha Bandhan.

State Women and Child Development Minister Shashi Panja stated, "Today commemorates the day Rabindranath Tagore tied a Rakhi as a symbol of peace and communal harmony. However, the BJP has shown disregard for Bengal's traditions and is trying to disrupt law and order as people celebrate the sacred bond of brotherhood and sisterhood."

On Sunday, the Kolkata Police recorded seven FIRs against BJP leaders, including two MLAs, for breaching the Calcutta High Court's directive for a peaceful Nabanna Avijan and assaulting on-duty police officers.

The FIRs were registered against BJP MLAs Ashok Dinda, Agnimitra Paul, and BJP leader Koustav Bagchi at the New Market Police Station and Hare Street Police Station.

The BJP leaders are accused of damaging public property, obstructing government officials in their duties, threatening on-duty police officers, verbally abusing them, assaulting police constables, and violating the High Court order regarding peaceful protests.

The police reported that five officers sustained injuries during the protest march on Saturday. Three of them are currently receiving treatment at the state-run SSKM Hospital.

On the morning of August 4, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma visited the injured officers at the hospital.

Speaking to the media, Verma confirmed that five police personnel had been injured, with two discharged and three still undergoing treatment for head injuries. "So far, seven FIRs have been filed against those who participated in yesterday's rally for violating the Calcutta High Court's order, assaulting police officers, threatening some, and damaging government and private properties," Verma added.

Following the High Court's mandate for a peaceful Nabanna Avijan, the Kolkata Police designated two locations for the planned 'Nabanna Abhijaan' event on August 9—one at Santragachi Bus Stand under the Howrah Police Commissioner's jurisdiction and another at Rani Rashmoni Avenue within the Kolkata Police area.

Nevertheless, the protesters disregarded the police's instructions and marched towards Nabanna from Dorina Crossing in central Kolkata.

The protest was marred by widespread violence after a clash erupted between demonstrators and police at Park Street and Jawaharlal Nehru crossing.

The Kolkata Police Commissioner stated they are reviewing CCTV footage and video recordings to determine whether the victim's mother was assaulted.

"This is part of our investigation. We are analyzing the video footage from yesterday. Action will be taken based on our findings. We are examining footage from all angles, including drone camera footage. Until we confirm all the footage, we cannot arrive at a conclusion. However, this is part of our ongoing investigation," Verma noted.

Later on Sunday, the mother of the RG Kar rape and murder victim was released from the private hospital, with doctors advising her to recuperate at home for a few days.

Her condition is stable, and all health parameters are satisfactory.

The victim's father commented, "My wife will receive treatment at home under the supervision of a local doctor. Her physical condition is significantly better than before. The swelling on her head has subsided considerably. However, she is experiencing slight neck pain and is somewhat mentally distressed. Therefore, she will rest at home."

Additionally, the victim's father accused the state government of pressuring a private hospital to initially deny his wife admission for treatment.

"The doctor who examined my wife on Saturday evening indicated that she would be admitted for treatment. However, after he left the hospital, the attitude of others changed suddenly, leading to delays. They eventually informed me that my wife could not be admitted due to pressure from the state government," he alleged.

No response was provided by the private hospital authorities regarding these allegations.

Meanwhile, LoP Adhikari has decided to organize a community convention in the neighborhood of the RG Kar rape and murder victim's parents to raise awareness against the alleged isolation of the elderly couple.

This decision came after reports surfaced that the parents of the RG Kar victim have been ostracized in their neighborhood by members of the Trinamool Congress.

LoP Adhikari claimed that the elderly couple has been marginalized due to their ongoing demand for justice for their deceased daughter and for calling for a "Nabanna Avijan" (March to the State Secretariat) on the anniversary of the RG Kar rape and murder incident.

"We have learned that the ruling party (Trinamool Congress) is treating the victim's parents in this manner. I am in contact with the family. Despite our limited capacity, we are considering holding a convention against the injustice that Trinamool is inflicting on the victim's parents," the LoP stated.