Gender-based violence in Bengal Raises Concerns

Incidents of women molestation have become disturbingly routine events in West Bengal under the current regime. The collapsing law-and-order situation is deeply worrying people across the state.. The horrifying the notorious death of Abhaya in 2024 at a Government Medical College, R.G. Kar sparked nationwide outrage. We can’t forget that Abhaya was on duty at that time.  Moreover, a police station is located within the premises of that very medical college. Such a hilarious crime exposed, once again, the administration’s repeated failure to protect women. South Kolkata law college molestation in June 2024 inside the college campus also raised an acrimonious debate. The Durgapur is just a recent addition to the array of Gender-based violence in Bengal.

Another shocking case came from South Kolkata Law College. A student was allegedly molested on campus in June 2024. Notably, the accused and the victim, both belong to TMC student wing. The culpability of the college security has also become evident. The assault triggered fierce debates across the state. It also reflected the growing public anger over the government’s failure to handle such crimes.

Gender-based violence near Durgapur Medical College

The recent Durgapur incident has once again intensified political tensions. Although it happened outside the college campus, the impact has been huge. Assailants allegedly abducted a second-year student from a private medical college. They molested her in the infamous Paranpur jungle near the hospital. The girls originally hail from Jaleswar in Odisha. The attackers also took her mobile phone. They reportedly demanded ₹3,000 to return it. It is just another example of rapid growth of Gender-based violence in Bengal and the lawlessness.

The victim had gone out to eat phuchka with a male friend, believed to be her boyfriend. Disturbingly, his actions are now under police investigation. He allegedly ran away when the attackers approached, leaving her behind. Its’ really beyond imagination that a boyfriend abandoning her girlfriend in a perilous jungle, despite knowing she is in danger.  Hence, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has stepped in and demanded his immediate arrest.

The West Bengal Doctors’ Front (WBDF) has strongly condemned the incident. Several doctors’ associations have written to the Chief Justice of India (CJI), urging immediate judicial intervention.

According to the college spokesperson, both the girl and her companion signed out of the campus at 7:58 PM. The boy returned alone a short time later. He waited for a few minutes and then left again.

Police have arrested several suspects and launched a formal investigation. Many hope this case will not end up unresolved like the R.G. Kar case.

An array of violence in Bengal

We should not treat these incidents in isolation. The state has witnessed a long list of similar crimes starting from Park Street, Hanskhali, Bankura, Ranaghat, Kamduni, Sandeshkhali, and even a Gender-based violence during a birthday celebration in Kolkata. Experts say many more cases never get reported. Victims stay silent because of social stigma, fear of retaliation, and the system’s indifference. Even more alarming, frequent allegations establish the links of many of the perpetrators with the ruling party. Ultimately, we need to accept the hard reality. Gender-based violence in Bengal has increased by leaps and bounds.

In response to rising crimes against women, the Chief Minister advised women not to go out at night. She also issued a list of “precautionary measures” after the R.G. Kar case. This approach has faced widespread criticism for shifting the blame onto the victims. She framed a set of rules for girl employees and their night shift duties. We should not forget that Mamata Banerjee is a woman. She used to travel to different corners of West Bengal even in the dead of night.

The cycle of violence continues. Each new case painfully echoes the previous one. The media including the TV channels covers it extensively and their TRP increases.  But victims and their families receive little justice or comfort. The time and the utter failure of the administration  force them to absorb such irreparable damages.  They cry alone in the darkness and one day, their tears run dry.

Predictably, the ruling party, TMC, deflects criticism and sticks to its party line.  Meanwhile, the cries of victims and their families go unaddressed until sorrow exhausts itself.

What’s next for the women of West Bengal?