Junior doctors at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital protested against the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor. (File Photo/PTI)
Rahul Gandhi's statement expressing concern over the horrific incident has rattled the ruling TMC in West Bengal as he suggested the local administration was trying to cover up the crime
The Kolkata doctor rape and murder case has brought to the forefront the already fragile relationship between the Congress party and the Trinamool Congress party. Rahul Gandhi's statement expressing concern over the horrific incident at RG Kar Hospital is the latest flashpoint. He has upset the ruling TMC in West Bengal by suggesting that the local government was trying to cover up crimes.
The horrific rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata has shocked the entire country. The cruel and inhumane behavior that happened to her was exposed, and an atmosphere of unsecurity existed among the medical community and women. Instead of seeking justice for the victim, the defendants…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 14, 2024
Through his statement, Gandhi appeared to send a message to his party members to continue to stand with the protesting students and the families of young doctors, even if it means taking on allies in the Indian bloc. The Congress has come under fire as reports emerged of scuffles and violence at late-night protests in Kolkata.
Party General Secretary Deepa Dasmundi said: “In fact, this is not the first time such an incident has happened in Bengal. After the Mamata Banerjee government came to power, there have been several incidents from Park Street to here. Such an event.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also condemned the violence that broke out overnight. “Why are local authorities trying to cover up crimes? The violence we saw yesterday is unacceptable and it doesn't solve anything,” she said. Party leader Adil Ranjan Chowdhury accused Mamata Banerjee of being “anti-women”.
The TMC responded furiously.
What is the height of satire?
The Congress party not only welcomed Lal Singh for holding a rally in support of the Kathua rapist but also gave him a ticket in the latest incident…
— Saket Gokhale MP (@SaketGokhale) August 15, 2024
The Central Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating the rape and murder case that shocked the country. On Friday, the half-naked body of a female PGT doctor, a second-year student in the thoracic department, was found in the seminar hall of the hospital. She was on duty Thursday night and suffered multiple injuries.
But why did the Congress party take the bait and attack the TMC and the state government, knowing that it would offend Mamata? The reason is that Rahul Gandhi believes that selective anger will hurt him and his party, which claims to stand up for young people and women. After airing the Hathras, Unnao and Brigitte Bhushan Sharan Singh incidents, the long silence on the RG Kar Hospital case will make things difficult for the Congress party and the Gandhi family. Moreover, the BJP has started attacking the “double standards” of the Indian bloc leaders.
Will this stance of the Congress worsen the already hot and cold relationship with the TMC? Observers say Saket Gokhale is considered the chief minister's mouthpiece and he would not have said what he said without her approval. The Trinamool feels that the BJP has politicized the issue and Mamata is actively seeking justice. According to the TMC, the Congress is now speaking the language of the BJP. The war could have far-reaching consequences for relations between the two allies in the Indian bloc.
