As I sit down to pen my thoughts, my mind is heavy with the tragic news that has shaken not just Kolkata, but the entire nation. The brutal rape and murder of Dr. Moumita Debnath, a bright, young postgraduate trainee at R.G. Kar Medical College, is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted issues that plague our society. Though I am Nepali, studying here in India has made me keenly aware of the shared struggles between our nations when it comes to the safety and dignity of women. This case, in particular, has left me questioning the very systems meant to protect us.

The Failure of Management and Security

In a place meant for healing, where doctors like Moumita dedicate their lives to saving others, the last thing one would expect is such a horrific crime. Yet, here we are, forced to confront the reality that even hospitals are not safe havens. The lack of proper management at R.G. Kar Medical College is glaring. How is it that a civic volunteer, Sanjay Roy, could wander the premises, intoxicated, without raising any alarms? How could such a breach in security go unnoticed until it was too late?

These are not just rhetorical questions — they are a damning indictment of the systemic failures within our institutions. As a student far from home, I often find solace in the idea that educational institutions, especially those dedicated to health and wellness, are safe spaces. This incident shatters that illusion.

A Systemic Issue: Policies and Consequences

This case is not an isolated incident; it is symptomatic of a much larger issue. Sexual violence against women is a pervasive problem, not just in India but across South Asia. What is particularly disheartening is the inadequacy of the policies designed to protect women and the shockingly lenient punishments meted out to perpetrators of such heinous crimes.

In India, as in Nepal, the judicial process is often excruciatingly slow, and the punishments, when they do come, frequently fall short of providing true justice. How many more lives must be shattered before we see meaningful change? It is deeply frustrating to see rapists walking free after serving only a fraction of their sentences, while their victims are left to pick up the pieces of their broken lives — if they survive at all.

The Need for Reform

As I reflect on this tragedy, I am overwhelmed by a mix of anger, sorrow, and a sense of urgency. The pain felt by Dr. Debnath’s family is unimaginable, yet it is a pain that too many families have endured. We must demand more from our leaders, from our institutions, and from ourselves. The laws must be strengthened, the judicial process expedited, and the management of our public institutions overhauled to ensure that such crimes cannot happen again.

We need to create a society where women feel safe, where justice is not just an abstract concept but a lived reality. This is not just about avenging Dr. Debnath’s death; it is about preventing future tragedies, about ensuring that no other woman has to face what she did.

A Personal Plea

As a Nepali student studying in India, I find myself deeply connected to this struggle. Though I come from a different country, the issues we face are strikingly similar. This is my plea, not just as a student or as a foreigner, but as a fellow human being: Let us not forget Dr. Moumita Debnath. Let us not allow her name to become just another statistic in the grim ledger of crimes against women. Let us use this moment to push for the changes that are so desperately needed.

Justice for Dr. Debnath is not just about bringing her killer to account; it is about transforming our society into one where such a crime is unthinkable. It is a long road ahead, but it is a journey we must undertake, for the sake of all our futures.

Reference:

1. “Kolkata doctor rape and murder incident,” Wikipedia. Retrieved August 2024.

2. “What happened on the night of the incident,” India Today, August 2024.

3. “How the incident unfolded,” Business Today, August 2024.