Amidst protests raging over the rape and murder of a doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital here, West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has sought an appointment from President Droupadi Murmu and is likely to meet her on Tuesday (August 20, 2024).
Sources at the Raj Bhavan said that the Governor was likely to consult the President on the “deteriorating law and order situation in the State and to seek guidance on how to restore the safety and dignity of women in West Bengal”.
Follow the developments on Kolkata rape and murder case on August 19, 2024
On Monday (August 19, 2024), Mr. Bose said women were not safe in West Bengal and the present government had failed the women of the State. “We must pledge to protect our daughters and sisters. We have a duty to make this society one where women feel secure and valued,” the Governor said, while participating at an event related to the Raksha Bandhan festival at the Raj Bhavan.
A press statement from the Raj Bhavan said that the Governor had briefed the delegation of the steps he had taken, including monitoring the evolving situation since the disturbing news of the rape and murder came out on August 9, his field visit to the hospital on August 15, and of the allegedly premeditated vandalism at the hospital and threats made by the mob to women doctors and nurses.
The statement added that the Governor drew the attention of the Chief Minister and the Government of India to the pertinent demands that various organisations of medical practitioners, and representations by individuals had raised.
During his interaction with women, the Governor urged all citizens to come together to restore West Bengal’s “pristine glory” as a place where women could live without fear. Mr. Bose met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati a few days ago.
The Governor’s visit to the national capital also comes at a time when leaders from Opposition parties, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) have been demanding Ms. Banerjee’s resignation over the rape and murder of the post graduate trainee doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.
