In her first public statement since the brutal rape and murder of a young doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital nearly 20 days ago, President Droupadi Murmu expressed her deep dismay and horror. The President condemned the pervasive mindset that objectifies women and dehumanizes them, describing it as a “deplorable mindset… that sees the female as a ‘lesser human being,’ ‘less powerful,’ and ‘less intelligent,’ and as an ‘object.'”
In a strongly worded statement, President Murmu highlighted the disturbing recurrence of such crimes, stating, “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.” She criticized the “obnoxious collective amnesia” that, she said, grips the country, allowing society to quickly forget and move on from these heinous acts.
“Enough is enough. No civilized society can allow daughters and sisters to be subjected to such atrocities,” the President said. She drew a stark comparison to the public outcry following the 2012 Nirbhaya case, emphasizing that despite the initial shock and resolve to prevent future tragedies, countless similar crimes have since been forgotten. “In 12 years since Nirbhaya… countless rapes have been forgotten… this ‘collective amnesia’ is obnoxious,” she remarked.
President Murmu also pointed out that while some initiatives were undertaken post-Nirbhaya to improve women’s safety, the task remains incomplete as long as women continue to feel unsafe. “Even these [initiatives] were soon forgotten. Did we learn our lesson?” she questioned, lamenting how each new tragedy is quickly buried after a brief period of protest.
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The President’s statement comes amidst growing national outrage over the Kolkata incident, where the young doctor’s body was discovered on August 9, bearing barbaric injuries. This case has ignited widespread protests from healthcare workers and civil society, and has also led to a political war of words between West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP.
In her address, President Murmu indirectly referenced other recent violent crimes against women, including the rape of nurses in Uttarakhand and Maharashtra, and the wave of sexual assault allegations against actors and directors in the Malayalam film industry. She called for urgent self-introspection in the face of these ongoing crimes, stating, “The recent spate of crimes should force honest self-introspection.”
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As the RG Kar Hospital case continues to stir public anger and political debate, President Murmu’s powerful words serve as a reminder of the unfinished struggle to ensure the safety and dignity of women in India. The Supreme Court has taken suo moto cognizance of the Kolkata case, holding two hearings so far, and has cautioned both the central and state governments against politicizing the issue.
In the backdrop of these developments, President Murmu’s call for a thorough and honest confrontation with the societal and systemic issues contributing to such violence resonates with growing demands for accountability and change.
