President Droupadi Murmu’s Powerful Call to End “Collective Amnesia” on Rape Cases in India
In a deeply moving and powerful statement, President Droupadi Murmu broke her silence on the horrific rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College nearly 20 days ago, voicing her profound dismay and horror at the crime. But her words were not just a reaction to a single incident; they were a piercing critique of a larger societal issue that has plagued India for years – the alarming and disturbing trend of what she termed “collective amnesia” concerning crimes against women.
“Since the Nirbhaya case in 2012, countless rapes have been forgotten by society,” President Murmu said in a statement shared with the press. “This ‘collective amnesia’ is not just a sign of societal failure; it is obnoxious and deeply concerning. We must confront this troubling reality that allows such heinous acts to fade from public memory, only to be replaced by new ones.”
The President’s remarks come at a time when India is grappling with yet another brutal crime against a woman, this time within the walls of a state-run medical college in Kolkata. The gruesome nature of the crime, coupled with the insensitive and bungled handling of the situation by authorities, has sparked outrage across the nation. Yet, as President Murmu pointed out, such incidents, despite their severity, often do not result in the kind of sustained public outrage and systemic change needed to prevent future atrocities.
The Deep-Rooted Issue of Objectification and Gender Bias
President Murmu also shed light on the underlying issues that perpetuate violence against women in India – the ingrained objectification and dehumanization of women by certain sections of society. “The objectification of women by a few is deeply ingrained in such people,” she said. “This deplorable mindset views women as ‘lesser human beings,’ as ‘less powerful,’ as ‘less intelligent,’ and ultimately, as ‘objects’ to be used and discarded.”
Her words resonate with a harsh reality that women across India face daily – a reality where their value is often diminished, and their rights are trampled upon. Despite the progress made in various spheres, the President’s statement highlights that the battle for gender equality and respect for women is far from over.
The Tragedy of the RG Kar Medical College Incident
The incident at RG Kar Medical College, which took the life of a young doctor, has become a symbol of the systemic failures in protecting women. The President expressed her horror at the crime and criticized the authorities for their handling of the situation. “What is more depressing is that it was not the only incident of its kind… it was part of a series of crimes against women,” she stated, emphasizing that this tragedy is not an isolated case but part of a broader pattern of violence that continues to plague the country.
President Murmu’s reference to the “collective amnesia” surrounding such incidents serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of public memory when it comes to crimes against women. Despite the initial shock and outrage that often accompanies news of such events, there is a disturbing tendency for these incidents to fade from public consciousness, allowing the cycle of violence to continue unchecked.
A Call for Change: “Enough is Enough”
In a powerful call to action, President Murmu declared, “Enough is enough. No civilised society can allow daughters and sisters to be subjected to such atrocities.” Her statement is a clarion call for India to wake up from its state of collective amnesia and take concrete steps to protect its women.
The President’s words echo the sentiments of millions of women who live in fear, knowing that the justice system and societal attitudes often fail to protect them. Her call for change is not just a demand for better laws or stricter enforcement; it is a plea for a fundamental shift in how society views and treats women.
Breaking the Cycle of Violence
The RG Kar Medical College tragedy, like many others before it, should not be allowed to fade into obscurity. It must serve as a catalyst for change, a moment for India to reflect on the deep-seated issues that perpetuate violence against women and take meaningful action to address them.
President Murmu’s statement is a reminder that the fight against gender-based violence is far from over. It is a fight that requires not just legal and institutional changes but also a cultural shift – one that challenges and dismantles the harmful stereotypes and biases that have long held women back.
As the nation mourns yet another victim of gender-based violence, President Murmu’s words offer a beacon of hope and a call to action. The time to break the cycle of violence and end the collective amnesia surrounding crimes against women is now. It is a challenge that India must rise to meet, for the sake of its women and for the future of its society.