By Vikrant Rana, Anuradha Gandhi and Isha Sharma
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, Hon’ble President Droupadi Murmu made her first official statement on the incident, expressing deep sorrow and calling for collective introspection. The tragic event has sparked widespread protests, shining a spotlight once again on the persistent issue of violence against women in India.
In a deeply emotional and powerful address on August 28, 2024, the President broke her silence regarding this heinous incident.[1]
“The gruesome incident of rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata has left the nation shocked. I was dismayed and horrified when I came to hear of it. What is more depressing is the fact that it was not only the incident of its kind; it is part of a series of crimes against women.”
“Even as students, doctors and citizens were protesting in Kolkata, criminals remained on the prowl elsewhere. The victims include even kindergarten girls,” she added. [2]
The crime which has sent shockwaves across India, involved the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor within the confines of the hospital’s seminar hall on August 09, 2024. The victim’s body was discovered the following day, triggering an outcry that has led to the arrest of the primary accused, Mr. Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with the police. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CIB) has since taken over the case, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Addressing the broader implications of such incidents, the President urged the nation to engage in ‘honest, unbiased self-introspection.’ She emphasized the importance of critically examining the root causes of violence against women, stating “The time has come when we as a society need to ask ourselves some difficult questions. Where have we erred? And what can we do to remove the errors? Without finding out the answer to that question, the half of our population cannot live as freely as the other half.”
Despite constitutional guarantees of equality and numerous initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality, the President highlighted that deep-seated social prejudices, customs and practices continue to hinder the full expansion of women’s rights. “This is a rather deplorable mindset. I won’t call it a male mindset, because it has little to do with the gender of the person: there are many, many men who don’t have it. This mindset sees the female as a lesser human being, less powerful, less capable, less intelligent. Those who share such views then go further and see the female as an object,” she added.
The President acknowledged the efforts that have been made to address these challenges, noting that “plans and strategies were devised, and these initiatives did make a difference to an extent.” However, she emphasized that work remains incomplete as long as any woman feels unsafe.
“In the twelve years since that tragedy in the national capital, there have been countless tragedies of similar nature,” [3]she observed, questioning whether the lessons of the past have truly been learned, as these incidents too often fade from public memory.
In a stark critique of society’s tendency to forget such heinous crimes, the President condemned what she termed “collective amnesia.” She emphasized that history, especially one filled with such tragedies, often leaves lasting pain and should serve as a reminder rather than fade from public memory.
“I am of the firm belief that we should not let amnesia prevail over the memory of such criminality,”she asserted, calling for a comprehensive and sustained approach to addressing these deep rooted issues and curb it right at the beginning.
Reflecting on her personal journey and the broader narrative of women’s empowerment in India, the President said ‘I consider myself an example of that spectacular journey of women empowerment in India.’ However, she acknowledged that her sense of accomplishment is overshadowed by the ongoing brutality and persistent violence against women, which she finds ‘deeply anguishing.’
The President also recalled a poignant moment during her interaction with school children at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where a student inquired if the state could assure that incidents like the Nirbhaya case would never recur. The President responded by affirming the state’s commitment to protect every citizen but also stressed the necessity of equipping girls with skills in self-defense and martial arts. However, she pointed out that these measures alone cannot guarantee their security, as women’s vulnerability is influenced by a complex interplay of factors.
The President concluded by urging the nation to honor the victims by cultivating a social culture that remembers them and remains vigilant. She emphasized the need for a collective declaration that “enough is enough,” insisting that it is society’s responsibility to remove the barriers that stand in the way of women’s freedom from fear.
“We owe it to our daughters,” she said, advocating for a relentless pursuit of justice and safety for all women in India.