As we approach Independence Day, marking 78 years of freedom, we find ourselves confronting yet another brutal reminder of how far we still have to go in securing freedom for our women. Our basic rights are continuously violated, in broad daylight and under the cover of night, even as we contribute to the nation’s progress.
This is the 78th year where women are still raped,
The 78th year where women are brutally murdered and silenced,
The 78th year where we live in constant fear and agony,
The 78th year of hoping that it won't be me—or any other girl.
A severe incident occurred on August 9th between 3 AM and 5 AM. The accused, Sanjay Roy (along with others who remain undiscovered and unreported in the media), raped and murdered a 31-year-old second-year PG doctorate student working a night shift at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. After a grueling 36-hour shift, the exhausted doctor went into the seminar hall to rest, where she fell victim to an unimaginable tragedy. She was discovered the next morning in the seminar hall—half-naked, bleeding from her eyes and intimate areas, and brutally injured.
The autopsy report revealed the horrific extent of the violence inflicted on her:
- The victim’s eyes, intimate parts, and mouth were bleeding.
- There were deep scratch marks on her face and throat.
- Injuries were found on her abdomen, left leg, ankle, and right hand.
- Her thyroid cartilage was fractured due to the intense pressure exerted by the accused.
- The severe injuries to her intimate areas indicated 'genital torture' or 'perverted sexuality.'
- Recent reports indicate the presence of 150-151 ml of thick fluid in her intimate parts, strongly suggesting that she was gang-raped.
Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, was arrested on August 10th. However, his dark past soon came to light. Despite having a history of assault, including accusations from his pregnant wife and mother-in-law, the police took little action. Instead of filing an FIR, they merely made a 'general entry,' and Sanjay remained in his post. It was also revealed that he had addictions to pornography and alcohol.
The victim's parents were denied access to their daughter's body by hospital authorities, who tried to mask the incident as a 'suicide' to deflect public scrutiny. This was despite the clear evidence of brutal injuries, including bleeding eyes, broken legs, and severe genital trauma. The lack of proper security in the area where this nightmare unfolded allowed a mob of 7,000 people to vandalize and destroy the hospital, especially the crime scene.
Justice Sivagnanam expressed concern over the investigation, stating, "Even after five days, there appears to be no significant progress in the investigation... we would be well-justified in accepting the plea... that there is every possibility that the evidence will be destroyed and witnesses influenced."
Shame—this is the only word that comes to mind. How easily the lack of responsibility and morality can destroy our humanity. According to a report by 'Mint,' a relative of the deceased revealed the shocking treatment of the victim's parents, who were told their daughter had committed suicide and were denied access to her body for three hours as they pleaded to see her.
The victim’s parents filed a writ petition before the Calcutta High Court, stating that the assistant superintendent of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital informed them that their daughter had committed suicide on the hospital premises. Evidence in the crime scene area was tampered with, further complicating the case. The doctor’s body wrote to the CBI, expressing concern over sudden reconstruction works at the crime scene, fearing that this might compromise the investigation.
This is our nation, our home, yet feelings of vulnerability and fear persist. How can we live in such a state? How many more cases must occur before we eradicate this sickness, this lethal act? The world is decaying while we remain trapped in our bubbles of fear and ignorance. We often discuss the laws that are supposed to protect us, but I ask again:
"Are they really protecting us?" "Are we actually safe?" "Why are the government and other officials, who are supposed to protect us, ignoring this?"
Cases emerge daily, from minor girls to elderly women to professionals being raped, and as a nation, what are we doing?
- “Bulandshahr: Gajendra Singh rapes a 6-year-old girl and a goat.”
- “Odisha doctor rapes two women patients at a government hospital.”
- “Karnataka school teacher tries to rape an 11-year-old student in class.”
- “73-year-old man arrested for raping a 16-year-old girl in Maharashtra.”
And so many more—how many victims were silenced, how many reports were filed, and how many were ignored when justice was sought?
Justice can only be served when the perpetrators are truly punished.
When will our system recognize the need for stringent laws to eradicate such monsters? When will our institutions realize the need for safety? When will we unite to fight back instead of retreating into our fear?
There is an urgent need for comprehensive sex education across our population.
To prevent such heinous acts, we must instill in society the true meaning of ‘no,’ ‘privacy,’ and ‘control.’ Rest in peace to the countless victims who endured unimaginable pain—may their suffering never be in vain. But how many more must we lose before we truly see? Are we too blind, or are we simply choosing to look away, blaming victims while ignoring the real monsters who lack control, morality, and humanity? It's time to confront this sickness head-on and demand the change that should have come long ago.