Doctors unveil memorial statue after brutal murder of RG Kar Medical College trainee
Junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata have unveiled a statue to honor the memory of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor who was brutally raped and murdered at the hospital on August 9. The sculpture, titled Cry of the Hour, was created by renowned artist Asit Sain and symbolizes the pain and trauma experienced by the victim. It has been placed near the PGB Gardens in front of the building housing the principal’s office, as reported by The Indian Express.
The fibreglass sculpture, a bust of a woman screaming, is inscribed with the words “Abhaya,” signifying the victim’s suffering from the "hellish brutality" she endured. Junior doctors involved in the project expressed that the installation serves as a constant reminder of their colleague and their fight for justice. “It is an emotional moment for us,” one junior doctor told The Indian Express. “She was our colleague. We have been fighting for her. She is in our heart, but this installation will ensure no one ever forgets her.”
Another junior doctor, speaking to PTI, added: "This statue is not of the victim, but a symbol of pain, torture she went through and the ongoing protests."
However, the statue has sparked controversy online, with many criticizing it for being disrespectful and insensitive. Social media users condemned the decision to create a statue representing a rape victim’s pain, with one X user questioning, "The doctors of this country are so tone deaf. Why would you ever create a statue like this based on a rape victim?" Others echoed similar sentiments, with one person calling the statue “so weird and disrespectful,” and another remarking, “Indian women can’t even be remembered with pride. It’s either perpetually be in pain or be forgotten.”
Amid this backlash, the junior doctors have remained steadfast in their efforts to seek justice. On Wednesday, thousands of them participated in a protest march organized by the Bengal Junior Doctors' Front, demanding action from the government. The march began at College Street and ended in the Esplanade area, further intensifying their ongoing call for improved safety measures for healthcare workers in the aftermath of the tragic incident.
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IPL final shifted for bigger stadium, not ticket issue: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday rubbished allegations that the IPL final venue was shifted from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad due to the distribution of tickets to MLAs.
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said the reason for the shift could be the availability of a larger stadium in Ahmedabad.
“Ahmedabad has a large stadium and can accommodate more spectators. That must be the reason the IPL final was shifted there. There is no connection between ticket distribution to MLAs and the venue change,” he said.
When asked about reports linking the venue shift to MLAs demanding tickets, he quipped, “In some places, 50 per cent of tickets are reserved.”
When reporters said the BCCI had indicated that the decision was linked to ticket issues, he responded, “Let them make such statements. I will respond appropriately.”
Bengaluru was originally expected to host the final as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru were the defending champions.
Ahmedabad will host the IPL final for a second successive season on May 31, the BCCI announced earlier in the day, while allotting Qualifier 1 to Dharamsala and two other playoff games to New Chandigarh.
The board, however, said the final venue was shifted “owing to certain requirements from the local association and authorities that were beyond the scope of BCCI’s established guidelines and protocols.”
Shivakumar declined to comment on the revocation of the suspension of Muslim leaders in Davanagere, saying it was a party decision.
Regarding the removal of MLC Naseer Ahmed as CM Siddaramaiah’s political secretary, he said the chief minister had already spoken on the matter.
“The CM has his own information. Party office-bearers have provided guidance. He was given certain responsibilities, which he did not handle properly, which is why he was removed,” Shivakumar said.
On MLC Abdul Jabbar, who resigned as the state Congress minority cell chief and was later expelled from the party, he said Jabbar had submitted his resignation, which the party accepted.
The Congress in Karnataka faced internal dissent in April when several Muslim leaders objected to the party fielding Samarth Shamanur as its candidate for the recently held Davanagere South Assembly bypoll.
They demanded that a Muslim candidate be fielded, citing the constituency’s substantial Muslim population. The party subsequently took disciplinary action against three leaders, including Jabbar and MLC Ahmed.
When asked about his and the CM’s visit to Delhi, he said, “We will go when the high command calls us. It is not appropriate to go without being called.”
On Congress supporting TVK in Tamil Nadu, Shivakumar said the decision was taken to keep the "BJP out of power and strengthen secular forces." Elections to the 234 Assembly constituencies were held on April 23, and the results were announced on May 4.
The Congress party, a long-time ally of the DMK, announced its support for TVK to form a government in Tamil Nadu and severed ties with the Dravidian major.
The incumbent DMK was trounced by the fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by Vijay, who secured 108 seats. “Despite pressure from the AIADMK and BJP, TVK did not align with them. Our party has taken this decision in the interest of secular forces and the welfare of Tamil Nadu,” Shivakumar said.
