A controversial statue titled Cry of the Hour has been unveiled at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, where a trainee doctor was tragically raped and murdered. The bust depicts a woman screaming in agony, symbolizing the pain and trauma the victim endured.
Memorial or Insensitive?
#justiceforAbhya
“Cry of the Hour”“The Agony, the Pain, the Suffering…
A poignant depiction of the unbearable trauma Abhaya enduredToday A #statue erected in memory of the rape and murder victim at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital”#MedTwitter #medX #rgkarprotest pic.twitter.com/Pek84iAsNj
— Indian Doctor🇮🇳 (@Indian__doctor) October 2, 2024
The statue, crafted by sculptor Asit Sain, shows a woman’s face contorted in anguish, with her mouth open and eyes wide in pain. While the artwork aims to honor the victim and protest against the violence, it has ignited widespread debate. Many view it as a symbol of protest, while others criticize it as “disturbing” and “insensitive.”
Protests Demand Justice
For two months, thousands of doctors and Kolkata residents have taken to the streets demanding justice for the 31-year-old doctor who was killed during a grueling 32-hour shift. Junior doctors, who resumed their strike, unveiled the statue to keep the victim’s memory alive and ensure no one forgets the incident.
Mixed Reactions to the Installation
While some have praised the statue for capturing the emotional weight of the event, others find it deeply unsettling. Critics, including former lawmaker Kunal Ghosh, argue that immortalizing the victim’s pain in such a graphic manner crosses a line. He expressed on social media, “There will be protests and demands for justice. But the statue is not right with the face of the girl in pain.”
A Symbol of Protest
The junior doctors behind the installation clarified that the statue is not a direct representation of the victim but a symbol of the ongoing struggle for justice and the trauma faced by healthcare workers. However, the graphic nature of the statue, paired with a screeching woman’s voice playing in the background, has intensified the debate.
Ongoing Protests and Safety Concerns
The unveiling of the statue coincided with Mahalaya, the start of Durga Puja, a significant festival in West Bengal. Protests continue to grow as doctors push for safer work environments and demand justice for their fallen colleague.
Despite the backlash, those involved in the installation maintain that it is an emotional and powerful tribute to the victim, ensuring that her fight for justice is never forgotten.
