A government hospital in Kolkata, RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, was vandalized during a midnight protest by doctors and the common people in response to the recent rape and murder of a junior doctor. The hospital’s emergency ward was vandalised, according to a police official.
The protest, which started peacefully, turned violent late last night, prompting police to fire tear gas shells and use lathi-charge to control the situation.
I want to bring to the immediate and urgent notice of @AmitShah that we have just received shocking visuals from RG Kar Medical College where goons have attacked the college! Police is nowhere to be seen! There is absolute mayhem in West Bengal! Where is police? @MamataOfficial pic.twitter.com/VZOnBZeBHv
— Dr. Datta (AIIMS Delhi) (@DrDatta_AIIMS) August 14, 2024
Visuals from the scene showed stones being thrown on the hospital campus, resulting in several police officers being injured. Despite efforts to block the mob, which included dozens of unidentified men, the police were unable to prevent them from entering the hospital. At least two police vehicles were vandalized, and a bike was set on fire outside the hospital.
NIGHT OF INDEPENDENCE in West Bengal! Huge uncontrollable mob is attacking protest site at RG Kar hospital, are upto vandalising the Emergency Ward. The Doctors, Staff and patients are at high risk. Police are inefficient. Why so much keenness in murder coverup? #KolkataDoctor pic.twitter.com/Gj6jwsZvi8
— Mayur Vaidya ( Modiji Ka Parivar ) (@iMayurVaidya) August 14, 2024
The protest was part of a nationwide agitation to “reclaim the night” and demand justice for the 31-year-old trainee doctor whose rape and murder have shocked the nation. A large crowd gathered at the hospital just before midnight, toppling barricades and demanding action. As the situation escalated, riot control police were deployed on the streets.
RG KAR Medical College Kolkata West Bengal Was Attacked by Goons of Local Party to dilute Protest !
attacking doctors and destroying evidences. @WBPolice @MamataOfficial @PMOIndia @narendramodi @AmitShah @JPNadda #JusticeForDoctor #MedTwitter pic.twitter.com/08FGxzrdrG— ALL INDIA MEDICAL STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (@official_aimsa) August 14, 2024
Kolkata Police chief Vineet Goyal, who arrived at the hospital around 2 am, expressed his frustration, accusing the media of running a “malicious campaign” that he believes contributed to the violence. Surrounded by reporters, he vehemently denied any mishandling of the investigation, insisting that the police had not tried to protect anyone and had not tampered with evidence.
ALSO READ: 150 mg of semen found in her body suggests gangrape: Parents of Kolkata doctor who was raped, killed
Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the ruling Trinamool Congress, condemned the violence, stating that it had “exceeded all acceptable limits.” He urged the Police Commissioner to ensure that those responsible for the vandalism are held accountable within the next 24 hours, regardless of their political affiliations. Banerjee also emphasized that the demands of the protesting doctors were fair and justified, calling for their safety and security to be prioritized by the government.
The hooliganism and vandalism at RG Kar tonight have exceeded all acceptable limits. As a public representative, I just spoke with @CPKolkata , urging him to ensure that every individual responsible for today’s violence is identified, held accountable, and made to face the law…
— Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) August 14, 2024
This is what Fascism looks like:
1000s of TMC Goons from Belgachia entered RG Kar hospital and beat up protestors.
They vandalised protest site, Emergency Ward, General Ward, Nursing Station.
They entered Boys & Girls hostel and they even entered Nurse Changing room.
Mamata… pic.twitter.com/Lh85oWuABC
— Facts (@BefittingFacts) August 15, 2024
In contrast, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari accused the mob of including “Trinamool goons” who were allegedly given “safe passage” by the police. He claimed that these individuals had been allowed to enter the hospital premises with the intent of destroying crucial evidence that could be used in the ongoing investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
ALSO READ: The 6 key aspects CBI team will probe in Kolkata doctor rape and murder case
While the protests at RG Kar Medical College turned violent, other demonstrations across Kolkata and Bengal remained peaceful. The tragic incident, in which the doctor was found dead on the morning of August 9, has led to widespread protests and strikes by resident doctors across the country. The doctor was confirmed to have been raped and murdered while on duty, with her autopsy revealing horrific details of the injuries she suffered.
A civic volunteer, named as the main accused and known to frequent the hospital, was arrested on August 10. The Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation to the CBI on August 13, following public outcry and concerns over the handling of the case.
