Musheera Ashraf, TwoCircles.net
“This incident has left us all shaken. I knew the victim as a colleague and friend; we shared long working hours and struggles. The incident has created a sense of fear and uncertainty,” said a resident doctor from Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. This reflection of collective anguish underscores the profound impact of a recent brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor there.
The state-run institution, which was once a place of solace, has become a site of heightened anxiety. The brutal assault has transformed the hospital from a beacon of care into a landscape fraught with apprehension. Doctors, who once embodied resilience and dedication, now move through their daily routines with a deep, unsettling caution.
The shadow of fear extends beyond the hospital’s walls, permeating the personal lives of these young doctors. Conversations that once centered on medical cases and academic goals have shifted to discussions about personal safety and security. The bonds among these professionals have deepened as they face the grim reality of their vulnerability together.
Across India, doctors have long endured physical and verbal abuse, but the incident has underscored the dire lack of adequate security measures. A resident from Midnapore Medical College expressed a growing sense of helplessness: “We are in such a situation that nobody can think beyond it. Even the patients and their family members are upset. With such mental health, how can we treat others?”
The psychological toll on medical professionals is severe. A senior resident from Maharashtra recounted an incident where a patient’s family became hostile after being informed of a bleak prognosis, illustrating the volatile and dangerous environment in which doctors operate.
Another doctor from Diamond Harbour, Kolkata, revealed she was locked inside her room for days, overwhelmed by insomnia and crying spells. “It will take a long time to heal. Patient care will be hampered because I won’t be able to involve myself with the same dedication as before,” she said.
Despite the public outcry, security measures remain inadequate, leaving doctors to question how an institution meant to protect and heal could become a source of such profound distress. The incident at R.G. Kar Medical College has ignited widespread public outrage and intense media scrutiny, raising urgent concerns about safety, accountability and the need for systemic reforms.
“There are no guards outside the labor room; anyone can just enter the hospital, especially in medical colleges,” a senior resident from Jaipur lamented.
The medical community is calling for a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and violence within institutions, emphasising that the safety and well-being of all members should be a top priority.
The public’s response has been marked by anger and frustration, with protests and demands for justice echoing across the state. The relentless media focus on the case has kept it in the spotlight, but concerns about a potential trial by the media and the victim’s privacy are growing.
This tragic incident has not only exposed vulnerabilities within the medical community but has also sparked broader debates on sexual violence, institutional responsibility and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to protect women and ensure justice.
As the doctors at R.G. Kar Medical College continue to navigate their work amidst this atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, the pressing question remains: will the authorities take the necessary steps to safeguard those who dedicate their lives to caring for others?