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In a deeply disturbing incident, the brutal assault on a PG trainee at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has starkly exposed the grim realities faced by women in opposition-ruled states. The incident not only underscores the lack of safety for working women but also brings to light the concerning political dynamics within Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital. It raises serious questions about the commitment of opposition parties to women’s safety, as they often seem more focused on shielding wrongdoers than ensuring justice.
The TMC government in West Bengal has exhibited a concerning pattern of protecting offenders and indulging in political maneuvering. In the Sandeshkhali case, the government shielded the perpetrator while targeting Rekha Patra, an anti-Sandeshkhali survivor. The BJP, in contrast, stood by Patra, even fielding her as a candidate from Basirhat, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognizing her as a “Shakti Swaroopa.”
A troubling pattern of rising crimes and atrocities against women is emerging in opposition- ruled states. What is most alarming is the apparent indifference to women’s suffering, the lack of accountability, and the politicization of such grave issues by these governments.
A troubling pattern of rising crimes and atrocities against women is emerging in opposition- ruled states. What is most alarming is the apparent indifference to women’s suffering, the lack of accountability, and the politicization of such grave issues by these governments
The growing list of distressing incidents highlights the pervasive disregard for women’s safety in these states, painting a grim picture of the challenges faced by women where political priorities overshadow the imperative of justice.
WEST BENGAL: Safety of Women is in Deep Crisis
West Bengal has been gripped by a series of harrowing incidents that reflect a deepening crisis in the safety of women. The most recent case, the RG Kar Medical College Rape and Murder Case (2024), saw a postgraduate trainee doctor brutally raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. This shocking incident is the latest in a troubling pattern of violence against women in the state.
In North Dinajpur (2024), a woman and a youth were publicly beaten with sticks by a Trinamool Congress leader, showcasing the alarming impunity with which such crimes are being committed. Similarly, the Diamond Harbour Gang Rape Case (2023), where a woman was gang- raped by a group of men, highlights the continuing threat faced by women across the region.
The Sandeshkhali Rape Case (2023) added another layer to this grim reality, with over 900 allegations of land grabbing and sexual assault emerging from the area. Meanwhile, the Hanskhali Rape and Murder Case (2022), involving the gang rape of a 14-year-old girl, underscores the vulnerability of minors in West Bengal. These cases are not isolated; they are part of a broader pattern that includes the Bamanghata Rape Case (2017), Ganganapur Rape and Murder Case (2015), Jadavpur University Molestation Case (2014), Madhyamgram Rape Case (2013), Kamduni Gang Rape and Murder (2013), and the infamous Park Street Rape Case (2012).
These incidents raise serious questions about the efficacy of the state’s safety measures and the political rhetoric of leaders like Mamata Banerjee. Despite promises and assurances, the reality on the ground suggests that women in West Bengal continue to live in fear, exposed to violence and exploitation, while criminals walk free, fostering a culture of impunity.
KERALA: A State Struggling with Its Own Scandals
Kerala has not been immune to scandals involving sexual violence and abuse. The Suryanelli Rape Case, involving P.J. Kurien, a former Union Minister, and the Solar Scam Case, with sexual abuse allegations against former Chief Minister Oomen Chandy, have cast long shadows over the state’s leadership. The Justice Hema Committee Report further revealed shocking details of sexual abuse within the Malayalam film industry.
Allegations of sexual misconduct have also been leveled against prominent figures, including a PTA president, a Kerala Cricket Association coach, and a senior advocate.
The reality on the ground suggests that women in West Bengal continue to live in fear, exposed to violence and exploitation, while criminals walk free, fostering a culture of impunity
Incidents like the sexual harassment of a lawyer by E. Shanavas Khan and the molestation accusation against Assistant Professor Efthikar Ahmad at the Central University of Kerala, reflect the pervasive nature of this issue. From sharing morphed photos of female students to the assault on a Dalit woman by CPI(M) workers, the state’s challenges are numerous and complex.
TAMIL NADU: An Alarming Increase in Crimes Against Women
In Tamil Nadu, the Dravida Model rule under the DMK has seen a significant increase in crimes against women. Disturbing cases include the sexual assault at a fake NCC camp, the gang rape of a 17-year-old girl, and the brutal murder of a Dalit woman burned to death by her own family for marrying within her caste.
Sexual harassment remains a critical issue, as evidenced by the death of a 20-year-old woman who ran into traffic while fleeing her assailants, the gang rape by a DMK functionary, and the abuse of a Dalit domestic worker by the son of a DMK MLA. The state also witnessed the sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl by a 17-year-old boy and the molestation of a 14-year-old girl by a pastor, while a sex trafficking ring sending Tamil girls to Dubai was busted, revealing the dark underbelly of organized crime.
TELANGANA: Rising Threats to Women’s Safety
Telangana has reported a 6% increase in crimes against women, reflecting a troubling trend. The rape of a woman head constable by a Sub Inspector of police, and the arrest of three women in connection with an inter-state child-selling racket, highlight the vulnerabilities women face in the state. Incidents of sexual assault by a Congress Councillor and the harassment of women medical officers by a health official further underscore the systemic issues in the region.
The gang rape of a woman by an auto driver and his accomplices adds to the grim statistics, painting a disturbing picture of the state’s safety environment for women.
KARNATAKA: A Growing Epidemic of Sexual Violence
Karnataka has witnessed an alarming rise in crimes against women, including rape, molestation, kidnapping, abduction, and dowry deaths. The sexual assault of a 21-year-old college student after hitching a ride with a biker and the illegal detention and assault of a woman by a group of men reveal the deteriorating safety situation in the state.
HIMACHAL PRADESH: A Disturbing Trend of Sexual Assault
Even in the relatively peaceful state of Himachal Pradesh, sexual violence has surfaced as a serious concern. A government school teacher was booked for molesting a 16-year-old Dalit student, while a woman was brutally raped while her husband was tied to a tree. The rape of a Polish woman in McLeodganj further highlights the vulnerability of women, even in tourist- friendly regions.
JHARKHAND: A State Plagued by Sexual Violence
Jharkhand has been marred by incidents such as the gang rape of a Spanish woman touring the country with her husband in Dumka, and the sexual abuse of a 3-year-old nursery student by a school van driver. The state’s challenges are further complicated by accusations of sexual harassment against a Congress MLA, an IAS officer, and the principal and guard of a government residential school for girls. The gang rape of an Army jawan’s wife in Ranchi adds to the state’s already grim record.
The alarming incidents across various states have highlighted a deeply concerning issue: the urgent need for the opposition to be held accountable for their failure to ensure the safety and security of women in the nation. As a fundamental duty of any government, protecting its citizens—especially women—should be a top priority. However, the opposition has repeatedly neglected this responsibility in their relentless pursuit of political gains.
This neglect is not just a failure of governance but a direct consequence of the opposition’s inability to maintain law and order in the states under their control. The rising number of crimes against women in these regions paints a grim picture of the opposition’s ineffective governance. As these states become increasingly unsafe, the opposition’s mishandling of critical issues has also begun to tarnish the country’s global reputation, raising serious concerns about their capability to lead and protect the citizens they claim to represent.
What makes this situation even more troubling is the opposition’s apparent disregard for these critical issues. Rather than addressing the growing concerns surrounding women’s safety, the opposition has dismissed them as mere “distractions.”
The opposition’s failure to address the urgent issue of women’s safety, coupled with their preoccupation with divisive politics, raises serious questions about their commitment to the well- being of the nation’s citizens
By sidelining issues that directly impact the lives of millions of women, the opposition is not only ignoring a critical aspect of governance but is also displaying a dangerous indifference to the rights and security of women. This indifference undermines the very foundation of any democratic society, where the safety of its citizens should be paramount.
The opposition’s failure to address the urgent issue of women’s safety, coupled with their preoccupation with divisive politics, raises serious questions about their commitment to the well- being of the nation’s citizens. Women’s safety is not a political tool to be used or ignored at convenience; it is a fundamental responsibility that must be upheld by those in power. The opposition owes the women of this nation an explanation and, more importantly, a commitment to ensure their safety and security in the future.
The Political Landscape and the Marginalization of Women’s Issues:
As we delve deeper into the political dynamics at play, it becomes clear that the marginalization of women’s issues by the opposition is part of a broader trend of neglect. In an environment where political gains are prioritized above all else, the basic rights and security of women are often relegated to the background. This is not just a failure in policy but a moral failure that reflects a deeper, systemic issue within the opposition’s approach to governance.
The opposition’s focus on divisive politics, while important in addressing historical injustices, should not come at the cost of ignoring the immediate and pressing concerns of women’s safety. The attempt to shift the narrative away from these critical issues suggests a calculated move to divert attention from their shortcomings. However, this strategy is not only short- sighted but also deeply damaging to the fabric of society.
Women’s safety is a multifaceted issue that requires a comprehensive approach, encompassing legal reforms, societal change, and effective law enforcement. Unfortunately, the opposition has shown little initiative in any of these areas. Their failure to propose or support meaningful legislation aimed at protecting women, coupled with their lack of action in states under their governance, highlights a troubling disconnect between their rhetoric and their actions.