Controversy Over Trainee Doctor’s Statue at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College

Kolkata: A controversy has erupted over the installation of a statue at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, dedicated to the trainee doctor who was raped and murdered on August 9.

The junior doctors of the hospital, currently protesting, commissioned the statue named “Cry of the Hour,” which symbolises the victim’s last moments of agony, as explained by artist Asit Sain. The bust, positioned near the principal’s office, depicts a woman crying.

“This statue isn’t a representation of the victim, but a symbol of the pain and suffering endured, as well as the ongoing protests,” said one junior doctor.

The installation has drawn sharp criticism on social media, with many labelling it “disrespectful” and “disturbing.”

Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh condemned the statue, stating it violates Supreme Court guidelines by potentially revealing the victim’s identity. “No responsible individual should do this, even in the name of art. While protests and demands for justice are valid, depicting the victim’s face in pain is inappropriate,” he tweeted, referring to legal restrictions on revealing the identity of rape victims.

However, Dr Debdutt from RG Kar defended the move, saying, “We haven’t violated any rules. This sculpture is symbolic, not an exact representation. Our aim is to convey the trauma and demand justice.”

Junior doctors have been on a cease work since Tuesday, accusing the West Bengal government of failing to deliver on safety and security promises made in mid-September. They also continue to protest the rape and murder incident, demanding enhanced security measures in hospitals. Key demands include CCTV installation on hospital premises and 24/7 security for healthcare workers. Though services partially resumed after a 42-day strike, the doctors returned to cease work after claiming their safety demands remained unmet.