Safe Haven or a Phantasmal Hell?

Life is so unpredictable. One moment, you have everything under control; the next, it all feels empty and insignificant. I guess that’s why they say you shouldn’t rely on happiness more than necessary; after all, isn’t it just going to disappear someday?

Today, the atmosphere feels unusually pessimistic and disheartening. Some of us here are trying to live up to the delusion that “we really are all safe” when, in reality, we never were. It’s sickening how quickly the situation has caught up to us, or perhaps it was always there.

We chose to ignore it, but unfortunately, one of us was sacrificed against all precautions. Dr Moumita Debnath, a second-year post-graduate trainee who had worked tirelessly to realise her dreams, was unjustly made the scapegoat by the prestigious R.G. Kar Medical College authorities and the politicians involved. Some people refer to this case as Nirbhaya 2.0, but is it just that? Or isn’t it more horrific, considering it was the system itself that betrayed her?

Sources and students of R.G KAR themselves have revealed that the institution was running an illegal racket for the sale of body parts. As if that were not enough, it has also come to light that the government institution and the professors themselves were harassing the students in terms of research and final exams. According to some, when Dr Moumita got a hunch of the underlying work being done, she immediately raised her voice, but in the usual manner, she was dismissed and unheard and, in due time, was taken care of.

Even if we overlook all this for a fraction of a second, stating that nothing is confirmed, the question remains: Who is truthful here? The university’s apparent evidence raises questions about why a sudden mob ransacked the crime scene and hospital on the night of August 15th. Was everything accidental and due to misfortune, or was it all pre-planned?

Today, the question remains: are we really safe? How can a respected individual who is doing her duties in the said workplace be brutally murdered and raped? A workplace, especially a hospital, is meant to be a neutral zone where lives are appreciated and respected. Yet, this incident occurred.

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Today, the prevalence of rape culture is not just a gender issue but the result of our continual choice to ignore the situations that surround us. If we look carefully, we will find that India is a country where there are at least more than a hundred molestation cases just lying flat. It has come to this point today because we have not raised and protested enough. The laws that bind a rapist aren’t “just” enough. Today, not only Kolkata but every state of India is filled with rage and fear, afraid of the fact that “we are not safe anywhere”.

Even more disheartening is that our entrusted leaders are not taking sufficient action; section 163 has been enforced by the authorities, prohibiting any protests near the R.G KAR Campus. As per The Economic Times, “Kolkata Police have invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, restricting gatherings around R.G KAR Medical College.” My question is, who are they trying to protect? Do they not realise what happened to Moumita could also happen to their daughters and nieces?

It is essential to understand that this is not just a concern for one state but the entire world. The level of brutality here has surpassed all limits, and humanity seems to be non-existent. Thus, I urge all to keep raising voices and not be in the façade of delusion anymore. I believe that insistence and inquiry may reveal specific facts that could bring a bit of justice to Dr Moumita Debnath, who was a remarkable fighter to be remembered.

The views expressed in this article are those of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of [AboutHer Mag]. The magazine is committed to providing a platform for diverse perspectives and opinions.