A of t the stroke of midnight on August 15, 2024, when India ushered in its 78th year Independence, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Kolkata to protest the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The protest, aimed at "reclaiming the night", was one of the largest in the city in recent memory.
Holding candles, placards and flaming torches, and blowing conch shells, women from across West Bengal-spanning socio-economic lines flooded the streets. Men joined in solidarity.
It was a powerful expression of anger against systemic failure. The outrage has extended beyond Kolkata, crossing state and even national boundaries.
The Opposition the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Bharatiya Janata Party-has turned the heat on the establishment.
The medical community is furious, with even some Trinamool Congress leaders speaking out. On Sunday, hundreds of fans of archrivals Mohun Bagan and East Bengal football clubs joined hands in protest.
Kolkata is simmering.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also holds the health and home portfolios, finds herself in a difficult position. Despite leading a protest march on Friday demanding "justice" and asking the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) complete its probe by Sunday, the anger has not subsided as protests continue.
On Saturday, the West Bengal government announced new measures for safety of women working in government hospitals, medical colleges, and other night-shift environments.
A statement from the government highlighted the administration's focus on "introspection, accountability, and action" following the RG Kar incident.
The rape and murder of the trainee doctor have severely embarrassed the administration. The timeline of events, some of which find mention in a Calcutta High Court order, paints a grim picture.
Denne historien er fra August 19, 2024-utgaven av Business Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 19, 2024-utgaven av Business Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Low valuation sparks interest in IndusInd
Analysts believe worst may be over for lender after sombre Q2 results
Demand, margin gains ahead for UPL
Agrochemicals manufacturer UPL reported a muted quarter as operating profit remained flat on a year-on-year (Y-o-Y) basis, due to a price decline (down 7 percent Y-o-Y) and surplus capacity in China.
Exchanges roll back direct payout of securities to client accounts
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and BSE on Tuesday announced rollback of the direct payout of the securities to client demat accounts—which was enabled on November 11.
Swiggy makes market debut today
Shares of food delivery major Swiggy will make stock market debut on Wednesday following its ₹11,327 crore initial public offering (IPO), second biggest this year and sixth-largest to hit the domestic market.
NTPC Green Energy IPO eyes $12 bn Valuation
NTPC Green Energy Ltd is considering seeking a valuation of about $12 billion in what could be one of India's biggest initial public offerings (IPO) in the renewable energy industry, according to people familiar with the matter.
Sebi simplifies process for registration of certain FPIs
Abridged version of application form to be available in 3 months
11 of 17 Nifty sector indices in correction mode
As many as 11 of 17 frontline Nifty sector indices are in 'correction' mode with energy, auto and central public sector enterprises (CPSE), consumption, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) suffering the most in the recent market fall, according to data.
Nifty falls to near 5-month low
Earnings disappointment and foreign outflows continue to weigh on markets
BITING THE BULLET
The Bullet Train has been a 'dream project'. Can it become a reality anytime soon?
India to be among top 3 or 4 mkts for Siemens in 3 years
Country now contributes 3.5-4% to the firm's revenue
