This article including rape and physical attack account
In August 2024, the brutal rape and murder of a young female trainee doctor in one of the largest government running hospitals in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata led to nationwide outrage, leading to demonstrations in many cities across India.
The protests spread to a female social justice movement and transformed, “rebuild the night”, demanding safe public places and workplaces for women.
The 31 -year -old junior drug was found dead in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal, after working in a 36 -hour shift.
Kolkata doctor government response to rape
Following this incident, the state government of West Bengal launched a comprehensive security initiative called “Rattir Sathi” (night’s help) to protect the night innings of women working in hospitals and similar institutions.
As part of the program, restrictions were placed to prevent employees including doctors from doing more than 12 hours of work on a stretch. Other measures included CCTV-Dinition safe area for women in hospitals, police deployment in major medical facilities, and a balanced gender representation in security staff as well as both male and female guards.
A cell phone app, Bondhu, was launched with an alarm feature associated with local police stations, and women were encouraged to use helpline numbers in terms of emergency.
Now doubt
Sanjay Roy, a 33 -year -old police volunteer and the only suspect in the case, arrested the day of searching the body of a junior doctor. After an investigation by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and other agencies, Salalah criminal court found Roy guilty and sent him to jail for life.
However, the victim’s family and groups of junior doctors have questioned the scope of investigation. Roy Himfel claimed that he was implicated.
Police allegations of ‘harassment’
On August 14, 2025, the eve of India’s 79th Independence Day, thousands of people – mainly women – gathered in Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal to celebrate the anniversary.
During one of the rallies, the mother of the junior doctor was allegedly injured. According to local media, the victim’s father emailed the Kolkata Police Commissioner, alleging that the injury was the result of “prefabricated” and “intentional attacks” by police officers.
Police said that the video footage of the incident was reviewed, but no evidence was found to support the allegations.
The father claimed that the police had harassed him, he tried to file a formal complaint, repeatedly sent him to another from one police station to sun.
Tamonas Chaudhuri, the national convenor of the Citizen Samaj Sangathan, Abhay Manda, said that such claims of harassment have withdrawn people from recovering the night movement.
However, many women participating in the rallies said that there was an independent movement of the movement since the incident.
“I participated in the protests of the night last year. I still do not understand why the movement stopped …” A housewife said that the protests were actively added last year.
Swati Chakraborty, a social worker, said, “The movement came out as a response to the movement after the incident.” “Some civil society organizations are still carrying [forward] With the movement but I suspect it is [happening] Outside Bengal. ,
Human rights activist, Sampa Sen said that the night movement has attracted attention to criminal activity within a government run hospital. So the point pointed to the reports of serious flaws in the investigation, including poor safety measures and insufficient CCTV coverage, and questioned whether a non-political movement could really get justice in front of institutional obstacles.
Are women safe today?
A 23 -year -old student in a New Delhi bus has bees in the headlines of sexual violence and rape in India since raping and killing a fierce 2012.
The report in the report about the gang rape of a 24 -year -old law student at South Calcutta Law College in June 2025 is a fresh concern about the safety of women.
A leader of the doctors opposing, Dr. Asfaqulla Naiya said that there has been a slight improvement in security – special women – for doctors. “Health care and educational fields recruiting and funding are the key to real changes,” he said, “he suggested.
Chaudhuri claimed that security measures are being partially implemented in government hospitals. “Although CCTV and armed guards are added, significant intervals remain in security.”
Chakraborty said that the helpline number is largely ineffective due to insufficient staffing.
Emphasized so much that the safety of women has not yet been given a complete priority to bees. However, he noted, highlighted the rights of women resumed at night – even in rural areas – empowering them to speak.
Edited by: Keith Walker
