Tragic Incident Sparks Nationwide Outrage: Parents of Indian Doctor Speak Out

The recent rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, India, have triggered widespread outrage throughout the country. The brutal crime has mobilized tens of thousands of people to protest in the streets, demanding justice for the young doctor. BBC Hindi conducted an interview with the victim’s parents, who fondly remember their daughter as an intelligent and ambitious young woman with dreams of living a good life and taking care of her family.

Anonymity Protected by Law

To comply with Indian legal provisions that prevent the identification of rape victims and their families, all names and personal details have been omitted from this account.

Last Words to Her Mother: Concern for Family

"Please make sure dad takes his medicines on time. Don't worry about me."

These were the last words the 31-year-old doctor uttered to her mother, just hours before she was subjected to a brutal assault at the hospital where she was employed.

Unanswered Calls Lead to Grim Discovery

The following day, attempts by her family to reach her proved futile as her phone continued to ring unanswered. The doctor’s mother recounted this harrowing experience to the BBC while sitting in their family home, nestled in a narrow alley just a few kilometers from Kolkata. The same morning, the young doctor's partially-clothed body was found in the seminar hall, bearing severe injuries. A hospital volunteer worker has since been arrested in connection with this horrific crime.

Nationwide Protests and Strikes

The incident has ignited widespread anger across India, with protests erupting in numerous major cities. In response, doctors across various hospitals observed a nationwide strike, organized by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). During this strike, only emergency services remained operational at major hospitals, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

A Devastating Loss for the Family

The young doctor’s family is left devastated by their unimaginable loss.
 

"At the age of 62, all my dreams have been shattered,"

her father lamented in an interview with the BBC. Since the tragic murder, their once quiet home, located in a respectable neighborhood, has become the epicenter of intense media attention.

Media Scrutiny and Police Presence

The family's house is now surrounded by a police barricade, behind which dozens of journalists and camera crews stand, hoping to capture any glimpse of the grieving parents. A contingent of 10 to 15 police officers remains stationed outside to ensure that no photographs are taken of the victim's residence.

The Night of the Crime: A Life Cut Short

The crime occurred on the night of 9 August, when the young woman, a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, went to rest in a seminar room after completing an exhausting 36-hour shift.

A Passionate Student with Big Dreams

Her parents recalled their only child as a passionate and dedicated student who worked tirelessly to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor.
 

"We come from a lower middle-class background and built everything on our own. When she was little, we struggled financially,"

said her father, who works as a tailor. The living room where he spoke was filled with tools of his trade—a sewing machine, spools of thread, and a heavy iron. Scraps of fabric littered the floor, a testament to the family's humble beginnings.

Sacrifices and Determination

The father recounted the financial hardships they endured, including times when they couldn't even afford to buy pomegranates, their daughter's favorite fruit.
 

"But she could never bring herself to ask for anything for herself."

Despite the challenges, the young doctor remained determined.

"People would say, ‘You can’t make your daughter a doctor.' But my daughter proved everyone wrong and got admission to a government-run medical college,"

he added, breaking down in tears as a relative tried to console him.

Ambitions Documented in a Diary

The mother shared a poignant memory of how her daughter would write in her diary every night before bed.
 

"She wrote that she wanted to win a gold medal for her medical degree. She wanted to lead a good life and take care of us too,"

the mother softly recounted. And her daughter did just that, working hard to ensure a better future for her family.

A Devoted Daughter

The father, who suffers from high blood pressure, recalled how his daughter always made sure he took his medications on time.
 

"Once I ran out of medicine and thought I’d just buy it the next day. But she found out, and even though it was around 10 or 11 pm at night, she said no one will eat until the medicine is here,"

he said.
 

"That’s how she was—she never let me worry about anything."

As the father spoke, the mother listened intently, her fingers repeatedly touching a gold bangle on her wrist—a piece of jewelry she had purchased with her daughter.

Marriage Plans and Future Hopes

The parents also revealed that their daughter's marriage had nearly been finalized.
 

"But she would tell us not to worry and say she would continue to take care of all our expenses even after marriage,"

the father said, his voice choked with emotion. As he spoke, the mother began to weep softly, her sobs echoing through the room. Occasionally, her gaze would drift toward the staircase leading up to her daughter’s room—a door that has remained closed since the devastating news of her death.

A Safe Haven Shattered

The parents are still grappling with the shock of losing their daughter in such a brutal manner, especially in a place where she should have been safe.
 

"The hospital should be a safe place,"

the father stated, expressing disbelief that something so barbaric could happen at his daughter’s workplace.

The Ongoing Crisis of Violence Against Women in India

Violence against women remains a pervasive issue in India. According to government data, an average of 90 rapes were reported each day in 2022. The parents of the slain doctor said her death had dredged up painful memories of the 2012 case in which a 22-year-old physiotherapy intern was gang-raped on a moving bus in Delhi, an assault that ultimately proved fatal.

Calls for Justice and Safety Reforms

The 2012 incident, which made global headlines and sparked weeks of protests, led to stricter laws against sexual violence in India. However, despite these legal reforms, reported cases of sexual assault have continued to rise, and women still face significant challenges in accessing justice. Last week, thousands of people participated in a "Reclaim the Night" march in Kolkata, demanding greater safety for women across the country.

The Healthcare Workers' Plea for Protection

The tragic case of the young doctor has also highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by healthcare workers in India. Many have called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the murder, as well as the establishment of a federal law to protect healthcare professionals, particularly women, in their workplaces. Federal Health Minister JP Nadda has assured doctors that he will implement strict measures to improve safety in their professional environments.

A Father's Plea for Justice

Despite these promises, the doctor’s parents believe it is too little too late.
 

"We want the harshest punishment for the culprit,"

the father said with determination.

"Our state, our country, and the whole world are asking for justice for our daughter."