Kolkata, August 21, 2024 – The brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata earlier this month has sparked massive protests across India, with tens of thousands demanding justice. The victim’s parents, devastated by the loss, remember their daughter as a determined and caring young woman who dreamed of leading a good life and supporting her family.
The young doctor, who was their only child, was found dead on the morning of August 10 in a seminar hall at the hospital where she worked. She had been assaulted after completing a grueling 36-hour shift. A hospital volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime.
Speaking from their modest home near Kolkata, the victim’s parents described the immense struggles they faced to support their daughter’s education. Her father, a tailor, recalled how they often couldn’t afford basic necessities, yet their daughter never asked for anything. Despite these challenges, she excelled in her studies and became a doctor, defying the odds and proving skeptics wrong.
The grieving parents also shared how their daughter was devoted to their well-being, ensuring her father, who has high blood pressure, always took his medication on time. Her mother, overcome with emotion, clutched a gold bangle she had bought with her daughter, a cherished memory of their bond.
As the family copes with their loss, their home has become the center of intense media attention, with police stationed outside to protect their privacy. The door to the young doctor’s room remains closed, a painful reminder of the life cut tragically short.
The incident has reignited debates about the safety of women in India, with many drawing parallels to the 2012 Delhi gang rape case that shook the nation. Despite legal reforms, violence against women remains a pervasive issue, with an average of 90 rapes reported daily in the country.
In response to the outcry, healthcare workers across India have called for stronger protections, especially for women in the medical profession. Federal Health Minister JP Nadda has promised new measures to ensure the safety of healthcare workers, but for the victim’s parents, these steps come too late. Their only wish now is for justice, as they join the chorus of voices demanding the harshest punishment for the perpetrator.
