Avtk’ A’nand Prabha’ A’c
The rape and murder of a trainee doctor of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Belgachhi, Kolkata(West Bengal) in a seminar room campus on the night of 8 August 2024 has raised a significant human concern which provoked a nationwide stir and protest against the incident and call for justice for women’s security at workplace in particular and anywhere in general and decry for a stringent action against the rapists. Though India records the lowest rate of rape cases in comparison to other countries of the world still the nature of incidence what happened in case of Mousami has rented the consciousness of civil society in the country and abroad Indian community.
The investigation in the said incident is undertaken by CBI under the supervision of the Supreme Court which will take its own course of fact-finding into the matter and the culprits will be punished as usual, one thing is very important to consider that there has been inquiry and punishment for all reported rape cases, but why women are being tortured and assaulted in ugly manners and lose their lives. Who will pay the cost of the life of a woman? Why has humanity or human consciousness not been elevated to a stage where it recognises the Dignity of Women? Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar rightly says that women are the most dignified sections of society. India is a place where a woman has been considered ‘mother’ and termed as ‘Devi’ (Goddess). Several laws and legislations regarding women’s safety and security have been made till date; severe punishments and stringent action against the culprits are in place, even then such types of nasty and inhuman incidents (rape and brutal murder) take place in our society which should be highly condemned!
The case of rape and murder has issued a death warrant for all the rapists of future following which widespread media attention and triggered local and nation-wide doctors and public protests finally compelled the West Bengal Legislative Assembly to pass a unanimous ‘newly drafted Anti-rape Bill’ on 3 September 2024 namely “Aparajita Woman and Child Bill” (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment), 2024. It entails death penalty for convicts of rape and other unnatural sexual offences if it resulted in death of the victims or left the victim in a vegetative state. It also provides for a life long sentence without parole for those convicted in other cases. The Bill was sent to the Hon’ble Governor (West Bengal), CV Ananda Bose and to the Hon’ble President Droupadi Murmu for assent. This Bill will amend the application of the recently amended Indian Penalty Code in West Bengal. This way, West Bengal became the first state in India to make an amendment in Central Laws for Crimes of a sexual nature against women and children. Kudos to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly!
Avtk’ A’nand Prabha’ A’c
