Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar today expressed strong disapproval of a statement allegedly made by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), led by senior lawyer and Member of Parliament Kapil Sibal, concerning the rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata. The statement, which described the incident as a “symptomatic malaise,” drew sharp criticism from the Vice President, who deemed it a grave injustice.
Speaking at an event at Delhi University’s Bharti College, Vice President Dhankhar said, “I am appalled and deeply pained that someone in a position of such responsibility within the Supreme Court Bar Association, who is also a Member of Parliament, could characterize such acts of violence against women as merely a ‘symptomatic malaise.’ How can anyone suggest that these incidents are commonplace? It is utterly shameful.”
The Vice President expressed his deep disappointment with the statement, emphasizing that it undermines the seriousness of violence against women. “Words fail me in condemning such a stance. It is a great injustice to the dignity of the high office,” he added.
Former SCBA president Adish C Aggarwala also weighed in on the controversy, stating that the resolution in question was not officially approved by the SCBA executive committee. He called for the resolution to be retracted or for Mr. Sibal to issue a public apology, as reported by news agency PTI.
Vice President Dhankhar further criticized the statement, asserting that referring to violence against women as a “symptomatic malaise” trivializes their suffering. “For partisan interests? For self-interest? Is it justifiable to take such a stance, leveraging your authority to perpetrate this kind of heinous injustice on our girls and women? What could be a greater injustice to humanity? Do we trivialize the suffering of our girls? No, not any longer,” he said passionately.
The murder and rape of the junior doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital have sparked nationwide outrage, with the medical community demanding fundamental reforms to ensure the dignity and safety of healthcare workers.
The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has accused the BJP of politicizing the tragic incident. On the other hand, the BJP has pointed fingers at Banerjee’s party, alleging widespread corruption within the medical college.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested the main suspect, Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer. Roy was captured on CCTV footage near the seminar room of the hospital where the junior doctor’s body was discovered. Additionally, the former principal of the college, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, is also under investigation.
