Controversy breaks over ‘cry of the hour’ statue of rape victim at Kolkata hospital

A controversy has started over a statue of rape victim at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which was set up to honor a trainee doctor who was raped and murdered in August. The junior doctors at the hospital placed the statue, named Cry of the Hour, near the principal’s office. The statue, made by artist Asit Sain, shows a woman crying, symbolizing the pain and suffering the victim went through in her last moments.

The junior doctors explained that the statue was not meant to directly portray the victim but was a symbol of the ongoing protests and the agony she went through. However, the statue has sparked widespread criticism, with many calling it insensitive and disrespectful.

Social media backlash and criticism

The statue has faced heavy backlash on social media. Many users expressed their anger, calling the depiction disturbing and disrespectful to the victim. One user tweeted, “If you want a statue, do it without showing her agonized face. This is highly disturbing.” Another user condemned the statue, saying, “Immortalizing someone’s pain like this is insensitive. This statue should be removed.”

Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh also criticized the statue, stating that it violates Supreme Court guidelines regarding the identification of victims. Ghosh said, “There are rules against revealing a victim’s identity. This statue, even in the name of art, is not appropriate.” He added that protests for justice were justified, but the manner in which the statue was created was wrong.

Doctors defend statue amid protests

Despite the criticism, the junior doctors defended their actions, emphasizing that the statue is symbolic and does not reveal the victim’s identity. Dr. Debdutt of RG Kar Hospital stated, “We have followed all rules. This statue represents the suffering, not just of her but of all victims. We want to continue the fight for justice.”

The doctors have been on a ceasework since Tuesday, protesting against the West Bengal government’s failure to enhance safety measures in hospitals, which were promised after the rape and murder of the trainee doctor. Key demands include the installation of CCTV cameras and round-the-clock security for medical staff. Though services were partially resumed after 42 days of protest, the doctors went back on strike, accusing authorities of not fulfilling their commitments to improving hospital safety.

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