The manner in which attempts are being made to make loud political noise targeting West Bengal government over the rape and murder at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata on August 9 demands consideration from a few angles. What can be said about manner in which certain criminal cases are politicized? This aspect would bear some social relevance, if it appeared to really contribute to decrease in crime of the same nature. But it hardly does, if the key motive seems to be that of targeting political rivals. Those responsible for RG Kar case, which continues to hit headlines, should certainly be punished. The doctors and those protesting for justice have the right to do so. The alleged rapist and those responsible for such state of affairs at the hospital, including its then principal, have been arrested. This implies action against them, as per due process of law, has been initiated and is expected to be expedited apparently because of the concern displayed by Supreme Court of India. In these circumstances, continuation of protest- particularly by doctors- may only gain news coverage and also help interested politicians make noise targeting the state government to primarily weaken its position and for attracting media attention. Repeated demand for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders clearly points to this.
Undeniably, the significance of doctors’ strike regarding RG Kar case cannot be ignored. Given that this case has not been pushed to the backburner, rather is being paid substantial attention, only implies that doctors’ message has been effectively conveyed. From this angle, the call for an end to their strike bears its relevance, in keeping with their professional ethics, the need of their medical services in lieu of problems faced by patients and so forth.
Democratically, politicians do have the right to state their stand on such issues. However, one is prompted to deliberate on whether the state chief minister’s resignation will help in judicial proceedings linked with RG Kar-case? This hardly seems possible. Rather, chances are that attention from the issue will get diverted to possible political turmoil in the state. At present, this would be least welcome. Besides, given that certain BJP leaders are being most vocal and loud in hurling almost abusive comments at the chief minister, their intention cannot be missed. Their primary aim is apparently lower Banerjee’s credentials in the opinion of Bengali electorate to the degree that they can. Bengali voters are probably well aware of political intentions of rivals of Trinamool Congress (TMC).
It seems, BJP is still in a state of shock at having failed to win more seats than TMC from West Bengal in recently held parliamentary elections. The results were a key indicator of Banerjee posing a strong challenge to BJP from West Bengal. Earlier, during 2023 assembly elections, despite all its strategies, BJP failed to prevent Banerjee’s return to power.
True, Banerjee with her party cannot remain at the helm always. But at present, the political reality that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party are no longer as strong, electorally, as they seemed to be earlier, as marked by results of 2014 and 2019 elections cannot be dismissed. In this context, exercise of strategies- sounding hollow- against regionally strong parties and leaders has minimal chances of helping Modi regain his former political stature. Chances of anti-Banerjee politicking over RG Kar-case can certainly help BJP gain media coverage but prospects of the same being easily translated into political support at present seem minimal. Neither do these strategies appear genuinely motivated towards either seeking justice for rape-victims and/or making stronger efforts towards checking such criminal activities throughout the country along with strict punishment for the criminals.
Here, the bitter statistics linked with number of rapes taking place daily in various parts of the country cannot be ignored. If resignation of state chief minister is expected to put a check on these as well as ensure justice for the victims than similar stress should probably be laid on resignation of chief ministers whose states also witness similar crimes reportedly in larger numbers. With respect to RG Kar-case, the fact that it is being given utmost importance at needed levels cannot be missed. This includes, as mentioned earlier, the concern displayed by apex court. It may also be pointed out that each and every rape case does not receive the same attention. A number of cases don’t even get reported. As per 2022 data of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), on an average 86 cases of rapes were reported daily, with conviction rates being around 27%-28%. This means more than three rapes take place every hour. In 2021, Rajasthan reported the highest number of rapes, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. In 2022, Uttar Pradesh ranked second, with Rajasthan reporting the most rapes. One does not need to deliberate why leaders displaying concern about RG Kar-case have not voiced similar stand about states witnessing a far more dismal state of affairs regarding rape-cases. But yes, if it is conceived as a “politically correct” step for the chief minister to resign following a rape-case, the same rule should be applied elsewhere too. Politically, socially and of course, ethically, the legitimacy, credibility as well as possibility of this move may be dismissed. The manner in which verbal missiles have been fired at Banerjee from her political rivals only signal that their key aim, as suggested earlier, is to push her out of power. Politicization of the issue in this manner can hardly be expected to decrease/end this malaise. If they are sincerely concerned about gravity of the rape-situation, they should perhaps pay a little more attention to the same problem affecting other parts of the country also. Nobody is above law. Leaders and parties in power definitely are answerable for criminal activities, etc. at any level within their domain. But targeting loudly Banerjee for the RG Kar-case only amounts to considering the issue from largely politically tainted lenses. Some attention needs to be given to primary reasons responsible for abuse of women. Rape -murder at RG Kar Hospital is a blatant example and exposure of the inhumane manner in which women continue to be abused. It demands greater attention to increasing respect for and ensuring security of women at all levels throughout the country!