Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: In a powerful and emotional statement, President Droupadi Murmu has expressed deep dismay and horror over the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College nearly 20 days ago. The President’s remarks mark her first public statement on the incident, which has sparked nationwide outrage.
Addressing the issue of violence against women, President Murmu criticized the pervasive “objectification of women” and denounced a “deplorable mindset” that views women as “lesser human beings,” “less powerful,” and “less intelligent.” She emphasized that this mindset is deeply ingrained in society and leads to the constant harassment, assault, and brutalization of women.
“What is more depressing is that it (the Kolkata killing) was not the only incident of its kind… it was part of a series of crimes against women,” President Murmu said in a signed statement shared with news agency PTI. She condemned the “obnoxious collective amnesia” that has allowed countless rapes and assaults to be forgotten since the horrific Nirbhaya case in 2012.
“In the 12 years since Nirbhaya, countless rapes have been forgotten… this ‘collective amnesia’ is obnoxious,” the President declared. She lamented that, despite the shock and outrage following Nirbhaya’s death, society has failed to ensure that such tragedies never happen again.
President Murmu highlighted the need for honest self-reflection in the face of the recent spate of crimes against women. She indirectly referenced other recent incidents, such as the rape of nurses in Uttarakhand and Maharashtra and the numerous sexual assault allegations against actors and directors in the Malayalam film industry. These incidents, she argued, should force the nation to confront its failings in protecting women.
The brutal killing of the young doctor in Kolkata has sparked widespread protests from healthcare workers and civil society activists across the country. The incident has also ignited a political dispute between West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP. Despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s calls for tougher laws to protect women, the central government pointed out that existing schemes to combat such crimes have not been effectively implemented.
As the political blame game continues, President Murmu’s words serve as a sobering reminder of the urgent need to address the deep-rooted issues of gender-based violence in India. “Only societies scared to face history resort to collective amnesia… India must face history squarely,” she urged, calling for a comprehensive effort to curb this violence from its very roots.
