The protests are settling down, and all seems to be on the verge of getting forgotten, as an event in the past. In memory of the diseased, in the hope that such episodes will not happen in the future, we recount the tragic events once the ‘sudden death’ had been found out; leading to a hasty dispersal of her body, even as her parents watched in dismay!
9th August 2024. It started like any other ordinary day. Towards noon however, news started filtering out, a news so shocking that it sent shockwaves through first the medical fraternity and then the common people of the city, and not only the city_ the state, and then the whole country and even beyond. A heinous crime had been committed, something that had never happened before in the annals of medical training in the history of the country, something which undermined all the unconditional love and trust medicos develop for their hospitals, which they consider as their second home as they study and practice to become good doctors of the future. As the story emerged, as the full details of the unprecedented brutality of the crime as well as the subsequent blatant attempts at cover-up became public, the shockwaves spread out from the medical community to the disbelieving common people, and a shocked and enraged people were left searching for answers. The people reacted in unique protests, never before seen in independent West Bengal or India per se. But what happened to trigger off this nation-wide protests?
The gruesome crime
A young 31year-old second year post-graduate student of the Chest Department at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, one of the renowned teaching Government Hospitals of Kolkata, had gone for her duties the previous day. It was her turn for a night-shift, which she was performing. She had last talked to her mother at about 11 pm, and was reportedly preoccupied. Sometimes during the night, things went horribly wrong and her battered and almost nude body was found in the Seminar Room of her department in the morning. There were clear signs that she was brutally tortured to death and also raped by one or more persons. The efforts to cover up are well known, not worth repeating here again.
“Reclaim the night” and mob attack
The media and common people soon gave the unfortunate girl many names like Nirbhaya 2, Tillottama, and Abhaya. A decade earlier, the brutal gang-rape of Nirbhaya had shook the country. Angry protesters had gathered, and measures were promised so that such an incident was not repeated. A decade later, Abhaya proved us that nothing had really changed. The outraged common people started a campaign for ladies from all walks of life to gather together on the eve of the Independence Day, that is on 14th August. The plan was for peaceful protest marches from various parts of Kolkata, as well as smaller towns by ladies. The men, were also welcome to come and lend their support. The idea was floated by a few on social media, and quickly became a rage there. For this rape and murder did not only involve a doctor, it glaringly made evident the lack of security of women in their workplaces.
On the eve of the 78th Independence Day, accordingly something unprecedented in the history of independent India happened. Hundreds of thousands of ladies assembled near midnight in massive apolitical rallies against the injustice of a young woman brutally killed in the prime of her life and the state sponsored cover-up of the crime. They gathered spontaneously, from all walks of life at previously set points. Some carried candles, some torches, conch shells and marched in orderly processions. The carried home-made posters. Some said “Reclaim the night”, but the most common one was “Justice for RG Kar”. In fact, this became a byword for this movement. The candlelight processions also took place in many other towns in the state and also many cities. There were reports of many people from abroad who had joined in the protest, for the terrible tragedy touched a chord with everyone.
Yet the night did not remain peaceful for long. A mob suddenly broke through the police barricades, trashed the Emergency Room, threatened the nurses and had rushed up the stairs and vandalised the ENT Room. The eyewitness nurses later claimed that the police were nowhere to be found; in fact, had taken shelter in the nurses ‘bathroom or patients’ beds. They had even asked for ordinary attire which could cover their uniforms. When asked why they did not charge at the goons, they replied that they had no orders. People started making snide comments that the true motive of the mob was to trash the Seminar Room, because some people had overhead them trying to go there, but had mistakenly vandalised the ENT Room instead. Later, additional police force and the CP came and routed out the already fleeing mob. The CP Vineet Goyal made an emotional statement saying that they had done their best, and it was the media which was vilifying them.
Junior Doctor and people’s protests
The days that followed were some of the strangest that independent Kolkata had ever seen. The emphasis was on apolitical, peaceful protests. We who have only read about Satyagraha and the Civil Disobedience movement could see first-hand the power of such a movement. People organised small and big rallies. We who have grown up in Kolkata have irritating and frustrating memories of the numerous rallies which occur here. These were different. The people quietly endured traffic jams as small or big rallies were taken out. In fact, many spontaneously joined. I have heard common people saying that it ok to be late, but let the girl get justice. “Justice for RG Kar” slogan was soon joined by a rousing theme song composed by Arijit Singh “Aar Kobe?” (When?).
One of the rallies organised was a march towards Nabanna, the seat of power. It is also the office of the CM Mamata Banerjee, who is also the Health Minister as well as the Home Minister. Since both the ministries were malfunctioning, a rally towards Nabanna was organised. The police responded by making double barricades at key points as well as blocking the roads with tall carriers. If these measures were not enough, they would spray them with water cannons. A few resisted all these. The enduring image of the movement is that of an elderly man in flowing saffron robes, standing tall amidst a deluge by water cannons.
The junior doctors were on strike since the day of the crime demanding justice, enhanced workplace security. Their duties were happily covered by their senior colleagues, in one of those instances of understanding between juniors and seniors. They now started identifying those involved in the unholy nexus which has come to be known as the “threat culture”. Every college under the present regime apparently had become places where many times marks and ranks were achieved not on the basis of merit but rather on monetary transactions. These coterie of people were very powerful in their respective colleges, and had the power of passing and failing students. Sharing of the extorted money upwards kept them close to the powers- that-be. Not only marks, many other rackets were allegedly involved. Going against these people was akin to committing academic and sometimes very literal suicide. Committees were formed in every college to identify these involved people and suspend, terminate or vacate them from their hostel-rooms.
Another place for corruption were the so called ‘Rogi Kalyan Samities’, headed by political heavyweights. Theoretically, a place to facilitate the sick get good treatment, they had instead degenerated into places where touts could sell hospital seats to the highest bidders. What was the need for the day was a centralized referral system, so that the sick could find out the occupancy level from their villages or blocks and be referred accordingly. Under the intense scrutiny, the CM was forced to dissolve these.
The junior doctors’ movement struck a chord with the non-medicos who massively supported them. One of their key demands was for the resignation of the CP Vineet Goyal, for his role in the cover-up, the DHS and HS. They did not demand for the resignation of the Health Minister, despite the CM’s attempts at turning it into a political movement.
One of the most iconic moments was their move to Police HQs at Lal bazar demanding the resignation of the CP. Of course, they were stopped much before Lal bazar with double row of barricades, but they sat down in front of the barricades with a model of a spine tied to the top of the central one. Slogan shouting through the night, a delegation of them were allowed to meet the CP in the morning, where they presented him with a spine and a letter demanding his resignation, since he had failed in uncovering the truth. A unique photoshoot occurred next, where a smiling CP, received his resignation demand from the junior doctors.
The next move was to sit in front of Swastha Bhavan, the office HQs of the Medical Services in the state. This happened to coincide with the time when a depression over the Bay of Bengal had resulted in torrential rain over the state. A spontaneous outpouring of love showed people bringing in bamboo, tarpaulin sheets and making makeshift shelters for them. Food and water was sponsored. People took turns to come and stand in solidarity with the junior doctors.
Negotiations went on between the JDs and the State Government headed by Smt Mamata Banerjee for a meeting. The expected meeting fell through several times because of the intransigence of the CM regarding the demand for videography. Finally, it was agreed that two stenographers would be present to record all the minutes of the meeting. Following the first round of talks, the CP, DHS and the DME were transferred. But still managed to retain prize postings. The Health Secretary was neither transferred nor sacked inspite of the demand by the agitating doctors. Promises of increased CCTVs were kept for the future.
Fast until death
Even though their demands were not fulfilled, facing increasing pressure the JDs agreed to join duties. They decided on the difficult course of fast until death. 7 doctors in Kolkata and one at Siliguri had initially joined the fast since 4th October. This was also the time for the Durga Puja, Bengal’s biggest festival. While a section of people were enjoying and eating to their heart’s content, JDs were fasting. Their courage and resilience had already attracted many towards them, and their marquees at the heart of the city was as much of a crowd puller as the Durga Puja pandals. People came to sit with them, encourage them or just to bless them.
Carnival and “droher” carnival
The State Government was proved to be arrogantly indifferent to the plight of the fasting doctors as well as the Abhaya case as a whole. After the Durga Puja, the current regime organised a Carnival, where some of the best idols would be taken out in a procession along with dancing and other performances. The insensitivity of holding a Carnival when such a heinous crime had recently happened, as well as the precarious health of the fasting doctors nearby enraged many, and the Senior doctors decided to counter with a “droher” carnival, or revolution Carnival. Here they planned to have a rally along with songs as well as skits. The police initially clamped down heavily on this. The designated street was blocked by buses and barricades. Anticipating this, a case was filed in the High Court, and even though it was on holiday, a special session was conducted which gave permission to hold the rally. The rally was a resounding success, again by the common people who attended; even more than the official one.
Uneasy truce
As the health of the fasting doctors continued to deteriorate and many had to be emergently admitted to hospital, a meeting was finally held between the representatives of the JDs and the CM. Following the two hour long meeting the impasse was finally resolved and the JDS finally stopped the fast.
The protests at present
Despite it’s huge potential and the unprecedented success of the movement initially, it has mostly fizzled out. Sporadic rallies are still being held, but the initial tempo is lost. Despite it’s very promising start it is unfortunate that it could not be maintained. The Opposition has also not been able to cash in on this. A recent by election of the State Assembly proved to be a thumping victory for the ruling party led by Mamata Banerjee leading us to question whether the huge support for the cause was limited to the urban areas only with the rural people being totally indifferent to the cause. In this scenario, the Courts remain the only hope that justice will be served to the girl who was horribly lost in the prime of her life.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Moumita Bagchi is a practising doctor from Kolkata. She has seen the Abhaya movement from very near because of her profession. Her other interests include travelling to lesser-known places as well as historical places and writing travel blogs.
