Trinamool Congress (TMC) spokesperson Kunal Ghosh on Monday criticized the BJP for allegedly politicizing the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata. Ghosh claimed that the public outcry on social media is being turned into a “political slogan” by the opposition, which he warned “will not be tolerated.”
Addressing a press conference, Ghosh stated, “The pain felt by the public is not political, but the attempt to convert it into a political slogan is objectionable. While we respect the grief being expressed on social media, appropriate language must be used. Spreading fake reports, audio clips, and misinformation about the incident is unacceptable and should be condemned.”
The incident has led to widespread protests and public outrage across the country, prompting the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance of the case. A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud is scheduled to hear the matter on August 20.
The murder and alleged rape of the trainee doctor have sparked demonstrations in several cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chandigarh, with people demanding justice for the victim. In Kolkata, protests by junior doctors and students have continued at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the victim was found dead in a seminar hall on August 9.
The protests have intensified, with multiple sectors voicing their anger. In Delhi, doctors from Maulana Azad Medical College and the Northern Railway Central Hospital held protests outside Nirman Bhawan, while in Chandigarh, doctors from PGIMER joined the outcry. In Mumbai, doctors and locals organized a demonstration at Azad Maidan.
The situation has also affected local events in Kolkata. On August 18, football fans near Salt Lake Stadium protested during the Durand Cup match between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, leading to the cancellation of the game. The protests have been marked by escalating tensions, including an incident on August 14, when a mob vandalized the RG Kar Medical College campus, prompting police intervention.
In response to the unrest, the Kolkata Police have imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (formerly Section 144 of the CrPC), around RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The restrictions, effective from August 18 to August 24, aim to maintain law and order in the area.