As the Mamata Banerjee government faces massive anger and protests over the rape and murder of a doctor at a Kolkata hospital, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said he feels the outrage in society over atrocities against women and state governments need to take this seriously.

Addressing the nation on Independence Day, the Prime Minister said that the country is witnessing leadership by women in several fields, including Air Force, Army, Navy and the space sector. “But there are some worrisome developments too. I want to express my pain from the Red Fort today. As a society, we need to think seriously.”

“There is public outrage over atrocities against our mothers and sisters. I feel this outrage. The country, the society, our state governments need to take this seriously. Crimes against women must be probed as soon as possible, those involved in demonic acts must face strict punishment at the earliest, this is necessary to create faith in society,” the Prime Minister said, apparently referring to the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The Prime Minister then said that when incidents of violence against women take place, there is a lot of discussion in the media. “But when such perverted people get punishment, it is not seen prominently in news. Time demands that there is widespread discussion on punishments too so that criminals are scared. It is important to create this fear,” he said.

The Prime Minister’s remarks come amid national outrage over the Kolkata doctor’s rape and murder. The investigation has been transferred to the CBI after the Calcutta High Court noted that the city police had made no significant progress in investigation and that there is a possibility of the tampering of evidence.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose government is drawing fire over the chilling incident, has said the state government will support the central agency in its investigation, but slammed the Opposition for protests to “defame” Bengal.

“A coordinated approach has been executed by the BJP and CPM, with support from the Centre, to defame Bengal and exploit the situation,” Ms Banerjee said. “They are taking cues from student unrest in Bangladesh and are attempting to capture power similarly. But they won’t succeed,” she said.

The crime scene in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a 31-year-old doctor was raped and murdered last week, was not compromised in last night’s mob violence, the city police have said. Responding to reports that the fourth floor room where the crime took place has been vandalised, Kolkata Police said in a post on X, “Crime scene is Seminar Room and it has not been touched. Don’t spread unverified news. We will initiate legal action for spreading rumours.”

Crime of Scene is Seminar Room which is intact and has not been touched. Don’t spread fake news. We will take legal action. https://t.co/A7PDWYAO4E

— Kolkata Police (@KolkataPolice) August 15, 2024

Late last night, when neighbourhoods across Bengal were witnessing massive gatherings by women to protest against the horrifying incident, a mob entered the medical college campus and went on the rampage. They attacked vehicles, damaged public property and police had use teargas shells to disperse the mob. Several police officers were injured in the clash.

While it is not yet clear who is behind the mob violence, Leader of the Opposition, BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, has alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sent “goons” of the Trinamool College to disrupt the apolitical protest rally near the hospital.

Mamata Banerjee has sent her TMC goons to the apolitical Protest Rally near RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
She thinks that she is the most shrewd person in the whole world and people won’t be able to figure out the cunning plan that her goons appearing as protestors would… pic.twitter.com/1CPI2f1KUr

— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) August 14, 2024

“She thinks that she is the most shrewd person in the whole world and people won’t be able to figure out the cunning plan that her goons appearing as protesters would mix with the crowd and carry out vandalism inside the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

“They were given safe passage by the Police, who either ran away or looked the other way so that these lumpens would enter the hospital premises and destroy areas containing crucial evidence so that it doesn’t get picked up by the CBI,” the BJP leader added.

Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamool Congress general secretary and Number 2 in the party, said the hooliganism and vandalism at RG Kar tonight “exceeded all acceptable limits”. “As a public representative, I just spoke with @CPKolkata, urging him to ensure that every individual responsible for today’s violence is identified, held accountable, and made to face the law within the next 24 hours, regardless of their political affiliations. The demands of the protesting doctors are fair and justified. This is the minimum they should expect from the government. Their safety and security must be prioritised,” Mr Banerjee said in a post on X.

The CBI is now investigating the rape and murder case that has shaken the nation. The central agency took over the investigation after the Calcutta High Court noted that Kolkata Police have made no significant progress in the case and transferred the case. The parents of the victim had filed a petition, seeking a probe monitored by the court to ensure evidence is not tampered with.

A team from the Indian Medical Association met the parents of the PGT doctor, who was allegedly raped and murdered at R G Kar Medical College on August 9, vowing support for justice. The parents claimed multiple assailants were involved and criticized the administration’s apathy. Calls for improved hospital security and an impartial investigation followed.