Condemnation of Kolkata Hospital Mob Violence: Political Blame Games Continue

Annie Raja of the Communist Party of India condemned the mob violence at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College following the brutal rape and murder of a female doctor. Raja criticized the ongoing political blame games, asserting that without concrete action, the safety of women remains undermined.

On Thursday, Annie Raja, a leader of the Communist Party of India, strongly condemned the mob violence that erupted at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a woman was raped and murdered last week.

During a late-night protest by women, a portion of the hospital was vandalized. Raja lamented the political blame games that follow such tragic incidents, emphasizing that no substantive measures are taken to ensure the safety of women.

'We condemn such mob violence which took place last night. Who should have prevented that? Who is responsible for the law and order situation? It is the state government,' Raja, the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) General Secretary, told PTI. 'Being a sensitive hospital, they should have been extra careful to see no such incident takes place. This shows the lack of security,' she added.

She noted that the pattern of political blame games persists, with discussions ending after a few days, only to resurface with the next tragic event. 'Nobody is sincere to see that women of this country enjoy equal citizenship or equality and justice,' she remarked. 'Until and unless all political parties take it as a serious political issue, this can't be addressed. Finally, who are the victims? Who are the sufferers? It is the women and the girls,' she said.

The incident involved a postgraduate trainee doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at the hospital on August 9. A civic volunteer was subsequently arrested in connection with the crime.

(With inputs from agencies.)