On Sunday (18th August), the Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognisance of the rape and murder case of the 31-year-old female trainee doctor that took place at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra will hear all matters related to the case on Tuesday (20th August).
Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the rape and murder of a doctor in RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata. A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra will hear the case on August 20. pic.twitter.com/XWwMUd9FSc
The schedule of hearings published by the Supreme Court on its website states that the “Alleged rape and murder incident of a trainee doctor in R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata and related issues” has been listed for hearing on 20 August by the court’s motion. The matter will be taken up after the hearing in the special bench listed at the court for 10.30 AM on that day is over, says the supplementary miscellaneous listing published by the top court.
The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata. A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud will hear the matter on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/4QrfXrkn1x
The horrifying case, which took place in the early hours of 9th August, has sparked nationwide outrage similar to the ones that were witnessed during the 2012 Nirbhaya case. It has led to widespread protests across India and the world. Medical professionals have been on strikes across the country expressing concerns over the safety of doctors, nurses, and medical staff, particularly females.
The West Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee has been facing mounting public pressure and criticism over its handling of the case and allegations of mishandling by the state authorities. The Calcutta High Court had already transferred the main rape and murder case to the Central Bureau of Investigation after making scathing observations against the Police and the state government.
On the 9th of August morning, the semi-nude body of the PG trainee doctor was found inside the seminar hall of Kolkata’s government-run hospital. While the administration had initially told the victim’s parents that it was a case of suicide, a day later, the autopsy report confirmed that she was raped before the murder. The four-page report stated that she had been strangled and that “perverted sexuality” and “genital torture” had resulted in a serious wound in her private parts. It also revealed the graphic details of the injuries inflicted on the deceased body.
Later, the Kolkata Police arrested a civic volunteer, Sanjay Roy, who was stationed at the hospital in connection with the crime.
In the meantime, the victim’s family and protestors said that the crime was gang rape, and demanded a thorough investigation to ensure all culprits are brought to justice.
While the doctors and medical fraternity have continued their protests for more than a week now, on Wednesday night (14th August), thousands of women across the country took to the streets, demanding justice for the victim as they participated in “Reclaim The Night” marches in Kolkata and across other parts of the state.
However, while the peaceful protests swelled throughout the country, a large motivated mob laid siege at R G Kar Hospital in Kolkata, the place of occurrence of the heinous crime. They carried out large-scale vandalism and attacked protesting doctors who have been demanding Justice for the rape and murder of a female trainee doctor.
While referring to the vandalism incident at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital on Wednesday night (14th August), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blamed opposition parties – Vam (Left/CPIM) and Ram (reference for BJP) for creating unrest in the state. However, the major arrests in the hospital vandalism incident point otherwise as some of the accused arrested in that incident, are reportedly linked with the ruling state party, Trinamool Congress.
Later, on Friday, the Calcutta High Court again came down heavily on the West Bengal government over the RG Kar Medical College Hospital rape and murder incident and transferred the case of vandalism in the hospital to the CBI. The court had already handed over the probe into the rape and murder of the trainee doctor to the central probe agency.
On 13th August, a class 9 student in Semaria town of district Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh, took a drastic step and stabbed herself multiple times in the neck in broad daylight. The minor girl was troubled by the continuous stalking and bullying by a man named Siraj Ahmed. The incident took place at around 2:30 PM. She picked up a knife from a shop in the middle of the market and stabbed herself multiple times in the neck.
SHOCKING: Frustrated by Stalking and Harassment by Siraj Ahmed, Schoolgirl Stabs Herself Multiple Times in Broad Daylight in a Crowded Market, Gravely Injured.
Sidhi, MP: Siraj Ahmed stalked a Class 9 student after obtaining her address at a wedding. He followed her to and from… pic.twitter.com/5Naq2mQbPE
Video of the incident went viral on social media. In the video, the girl walked to a cobbler’s shop with her friend. She picked up a sharp object from the shop and repeatedly stabbed herself in the neck. Her friend tried to stop her but she continued to stab herself. After a few moments, the girl collapsed on the ground. People rushed to her from nearby and checked her. The student was rushed to the local hospital for treatment. The doctors referred her to Rewa Sanjay Gandhi Medical College Hospital.
Based on the complaint of the girl’s relatives, the police filed a complaint against Siraj Ahmed and arrested him. As the victim was severely injured, her statement could not be taken. In the complaint, the relatives told the police that Siraj had been stalking her for the past few days and the girl was very upset. Reportedly, Siraj was not only following her in the school premises but also in the village.
On 14th August, a 22-year-old man named Ashish Yadav became one of the 17 victims of a series of attacks by a stray dog in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. Ashish was attending a call outside his house while walking casually when the stray dog attack left him in shock. The video of the incident has gone viral on social media.
⚠️ Disturbing Visual ?
उत्तर प्रदेश के गोरखपुर की एक कॉलोनी में 3 दिनों के भीतर 20 से अधिक लोगों को कुत्तों ने काटा। आशीष यादव पर भी, जब वह अपने घर के बाहर घूम रहे थे, एक कुत्ते ने हमला कर दिया। डॉग अटैक की बढ़ती घटनाओं से स्थानीय निवासी दहशत में हैं। #Gorakhpur#DogAttackpic.twitter.com/K6bbutQwgz
The CCTV video was recorded at around 9:45 PM on 14th August outside Ashish’s house. Ashish, who is a BBA student, was walking casually attending a call. Suddenly, a stray dog came from behind and attacked him. Ashish tried to get away and managed to do so for a couple of seconds but the dog kept biting him. By the end of the attack, the dog bit Ashish on his leg, arm and mouth. As the dog ran away, Ashish’s family members also rushed out and Ashish was seen getting inside the house holding his bleeding face.
Reports suggest that Ashish was not the only victim of the dog’s attack. 16 other people from the locality were attacked by the same dog in under 60 minutes, including women and children. After Ashish, the dog attacked a woman who was returning home and standing outside her house. After that woman, the dog went on to attack two girls who were playing outside their home.
Ashish was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Notably, his father Vijay Yadav told the media that the district hospital was out of rabies vaccine when they went to the hospital.
The authorities were informed about the incident. When the media approached Additional Municipal Commissioner Durgesh Mishra, he said that he was unaware of the incident. However, he insisted there was a need for vaccination and sterilisation to control such incidents linked to stray dogs. He said, “We regularly run a campaign for sterilisation of stray dogs. An Animal Birth Control Center is also being built. Stray dogs are being caught and sterilised, and we run awareness campaigns for vaccination for pet dogs.”
Stray dog menace in India
In recent years, the problem of stray dogs has increased exponentially in India. Because of the unrealistic laws and unhinged love of the so-called animal lovers for the stray dogs without any responsiblity, the attacks on humans have increased. In an answer to the question posed by BJP leader Atul Gard in Lok Sabha, the government informed that there were 30 lakh dog bite cases reported in the country in 2023 alone and 286 people lost their lives due to rabies.
On 8th August, it was reported that an 18-month-old boy was hospitalised after a stray dog attacked him near Satavahana University in Karimnagar district. In the CCTV footage, the toddler, identified as Harinandan, could be seen playing with another child on the roadside when the dog pounced on him, inflicting severe injuries. The victim’s mother, who was nearby, rushed and rescued the child, chasing the dog away.
On 27th July, it was reported that 11, including three children, were injured in a stray dog attack in Kharar, Punjab. A 5-year-old was admitted to the hospital in serious condition.
On 10th March, a pack of stray dogs attacked and dragged a 5-year-old girl in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh. She suffered multiple dog bites before locals could rescue her.
On Sunday (18th August), BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya shared the call recording of a cop telling a youth to not protest at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, where the match between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal East Bengal Football Club was scheduled.
“The match has been cancelled. So please do not come there to protest, okay? That’s all I wanted to say,” the police official from the Bidhannagar South police station was heard saying.
On being told that the protest would continue nonetheless, the cop warned, “No, I’m telling you so that you don’t come. There was a match scheduled at that place but it has now been cancelled.”
Mamata Banerjee has turned West Bengal in to a police state.
The tinpot dictator has ordered Kolkata Police to call individual sports enthusiasts, who were planing to attend the East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan derby and use the opportunity to demand justice for the RG Kar MCH rape… https://t.co/m6UaAXVWslpic.twitter.com/YB23q6mbWQ
“This match has been cancelled just because of such a flimsy excuse,” the youth told the cop. He added, “Thank you very much for informing me. But I’m letting you know, thousands of people will be present there.”
It must be mentioned that sports enthusiasts were planning to protest over the rape-murder of a junior doctor at the RG Medical College and Hospital during the Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal East Bengal Football Club match.
The much-anticipated game of football was scheduled to take place on Sunday (18th August) but was cancelled a day earlier. The decision was taken after the police informed the ‘All India Football Federation’ that they could not provide security cover.
#WATCH | West Bengal: Protest held near Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata against the rape and murder of a woman resident doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. pic.twitter.com/Uu8P5omlJg
Despite the cancellation of the match and intimidatory tactics by the police, the football fans nonetheless turned up near the stadium on Sunday (18th August) and held large-scale demonstrations.
The Islamist community in the state of Maharashtra chose to go on a rampage against the Hindu community last week over supposed derogatory remarks made by a Hindu religious leader who explained various significant verses from ancient holy Hindu scriptures and urged his followers to lead a righteous life. Saint Ramgiri Maharaj during a sermon in Panchale village of Nashik’s Sinnar region on Friday, 16th August, allegedly passed derogatory comments on Prophet Mohammed, enraging the entire Muslim community who since then been demanding ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ (death) punishment for Ramgiri Maharaj.
The video of what Ramgiri Maharaj said is making rounds on social media. The Hindu saint during the sermon indicated that several Islamists have disrespected women in the past because of the religious doctrine they follow. The remarks sparked wide outrage in several districts of Maharashtra including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nashik, Mumbai, and Pune with several Islamist leaders and organizations filing FIRs against Ramgiri Maharaj for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims.
You kept quiet during Nupur Sharma times… don't be silent this time.
— Sameet Thakkar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@thakkar_sameet) August 17, 2024
Protests and FIRs filed against Ramgiri Maharaj
Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city saw a spike in tensions on 16th August following a gathering of Muslims outside the City Chowk police station. The assembly, which included many prominent members of the Muslim community, demanded harsh punishment for Ramgiri Maharaj. The Muslim mob also demanded death punishment for the Hindu saint. They raised slogans of ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’, the video of which is making rounds on social media.
In the video one of the Islamists is seen inciting the Muslim community by saying, “Whoever dares to speak against Prophet Mohammed deserves to be cut by his throat.” The incident was reported by Sudarshan News who stated that the Islamists created massive chaos in the city and shut the shops in protest of a Hindu saint who spoke nothing but the truth.
As per the reports, Inspector Nirmala Pardeshi of the City Chowk police station in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar tried to pacify the matter and ensured that strict action would be taken against the Hindu saint. Meanwhile, the Islamists in the Vijapur of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar forced the police to file an FIR against Ramgiri Maharaj, booking the latter under Section 302 (uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings of any person) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The said FIR has been filed based on a complaint filed by a local resident identified as Rafehasan Ali Khan. Khan stated to the media that he came across the video of Ramgri Maharaj through social media and that enraged him. He said that Ramgiri Maharaj said that one crore Muslims have abandoned Islam which has hurt the religious sentiments of the Muslim community. Khan also stated that the Hindu saint’s alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammed had the complete potential to create communal chaos in the state.
“These words by Ramgiri Maharaj have hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims and created a rift between the two communities,” the complainant was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, another immediate complaint was filed in the Yeola region of Nashik district in Maharashtra. The following day, ie on 17th August, the Mumbra Police in Thane also filed an FIR against Ramgiri Maharaj for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Islam and Prophet Mohammed. 31-year-old Maulana Sajid-Ul-Rehman from Mumbra complained about the video after which the Mumbra Police in Thane booked the religious leader under sections 353(1)(B)(C), 353(2)(3), 299, 302, 196(1)(9), 356, 352, 351 of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) for uttering words with intent to hurt religious feelings and others for outraging religious feelings, promoting enmity between groups over religion, intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace and criminal intimidation.
Also, in Pune’ Kondhwa region, several Islamists gathered at the city police station demanding the strictest punishment against the Hindu sage who is being supported by several Hindu community leaders amid the ongoing chaos.
Pune : Ramgiri Maharaj has made an objectionable statement about Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In response, people gathered at the Kondhwa Police Station , Pune to express their anger and demands for his arrest. #Punepic.twitter.com/HmALLUzA1j
The complaint copy filed at Kondhwa Police Station by Adv Tusif Chand Sheikh could be accessed by OpIndia. The complaint that booked Ramgiri Maharaj under sections 192, 196, 197, 299, 302, 353(2), 356(2), and 356(3) of the BNS, 2023 stated that Ramgiri Maharaj had made an alleged deliberate attempt to create communal tensions in the state.
“He has caused insult to the Islam following community and hurt the religious sentiments by commenting against Prophet Mohammed. His comments have complete potential to create communal chaos and disturb peace in the state. Strict action is a must,” Adv Sheikh said.
Notably, the Seerat Community in Pune has also raised objections over alleged derogatory comments made by Ramgiri Maharaj. The Muslim community organization called the Hindu saint an ‘illiterate’ and stated that the state government should take strict action against the ‘accused’. “Illiterate Ramgiri Maharaj has insulted Islam and this is definitely a deliberate attempt to create communal chaos in the state. The state shall immediately look into the matter and take strictest action,” the letter read.
Political leaders demanding action against the Hindu sage
Along with Islamists, several political leaders like NCP’s Jitendra Awhad, AIMIM’s Imtiaz Jaleel, etc claimed that the comments made by Ramgiri Maharaj were part of a political conspiracy. While Jaleel seems to have all the reasons to demand action against the Hindu leader, though wrongly provoked, NCP’s Awhad made surprising remarks against Ramgiri Maharaj, calling it a political conspiracy.
Posting a comment on X, Awhad said, “I am of the opinion that yesterday Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj deliberately made a statement that insulted the Prophet Mohammad and defamed his character. Because it is impossible for any mahant to make such a statement about any prophet. If you open any saintly literature in Maharashtra saint tradition; Open the book of the saints and see; Open the books of Sant Kabir, Sant Ravidas, Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj, you will not see religious hatred anywhere. In fact, all of them taught that all religions should live together.”
He also slammed the state government for attempting to shield the Hindu sage allegedly. “What I’m saying makes sense. Because, if the Chief Minister himself is sharing the stage with him, if this Mahant is showing the courage to speak like this, there must be some reason behind it. Let it go! But, it is no longer hidden that these rulers are trying to spoil the religious and social health of Maharashtra.”
Further attempting to softly incite violence in the state, he added “This game will now burn Maharashtra; It will completely spoil the social health of Maharashtra and Maharashtra cannot afford this game. Power comes and goes. But, once the mind is divided, life disappears as it connects. We all should stay away from this politics of hatred.”
Also, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi led by Prakash Ambedkar condemned the remarks made by the Hindu sage and demanded the introduction of the Mohammed Paigambar Bill, an act to stop the vilification of Prophet Muhammad and religious heads and figures of all religions. “The bill is important and this is again proven by the repetition of the Nupur Sharma-like incident in Maharashtra. No religious leader deserves to be insulted. If VBA was in power this bill would have been passed by now restricting people from making comments against other religions. Unfortunately, the people in power at present do not understand the seriousness of the bill and support the Hindu leaders making such derogatory comments against the Prophet. We will raise this issue in the upcoming Vidhansabha elections,” the representative of VBA stated.
Ramgiri maharaj ko jald se jald Arrest Kiya jaye……
Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi ne "paghamber Muhammad bill" ishi liye pesh kiya tha ke aise nafrati log kisi ki bhavnao ko aahat na kar sake.
Meanwhile, State CM Eknath Shinde has made it clear that the state has a great tradition of saints and it is operating only due to the good, positive blessings of the Saints. He also stated that no one shall dare to even think of harming the saints in the state. As per the local reports, Shinde was speaking at the Harinam Saptah event organized by Sadguru Gangagiri Maharaj Sansthan at Panchale in Sinnar taluka. The Chief Minister also appreciated the work of Ramgiri Maharaj during the Harinam week.
How did Ramgiri Maharaj respond to the video, FIR, Islamist protests?
The districts of Ahmednagar and Aurangabad are bordered by Saralabet, which is home to Saint Gangagir Maharaj and his gurukul on the banks of the Godavari River. For over 150–200 years, Akhand Week (Harinam Saptah) has been held annually in various locations to raise public awareness. After Saint Gangagir Maharaj’s death, his disciples continued the tradition of Saptah. This week, millions of people attended the event in which several saintly figures including Ramgiri Maharaj directed the Hindus on how to live a righteous life. As a priest of Saint Gangagiri Maharaj, Ramgiri Maharaj has been serving the cause for more than around fifteen years.
He joined the Gurukul in the year 1992 as a student and learned about the Saintly tradition of Maharashtra. Later he was given responsibility to look after the gurukul by Saint Narayangiri Maharaj until his death, following which Ramgiri Maharaj was appointed as the chief of the Ashram.
Commenting on the current communal chaos, Ramgiri Maharaj stated to the media “I did not say anything to create a rift. It was an hour-and-a-half sermon. A few parts of it were edited. I was talking about Bhishmacharya and Dharmaraj during the sermon. I was explaining what is Rajdharma and how should a king follow Rajdharma. I spoke giving an instance that injustice should not be tolerated. While raising this issue, the topic of Bangladesh came up.”
Later Ramgiri Maharaj in the sermon stated that Hindus should stand together against the oppression of Hindus, atrocities that they usually face at the hands of Islamists. “I said that we should be organized against this, we should remain strong. No one should hate or envy. Don’t bother anyone. But if someone is harassing you, don’t bear it. What we said is written in the scriptures,” he said adding that nothing else can be said on this issue. “We are peace-loving people and our intentions are never to hurt anyone but to show society the truth,” he added.
As per the local reports, Ramgiri Maharaj also stated that he had complete trust in the Constitution written by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and the Indian Judiciary. “Whatever orders the court will pass, will be followed by us,” he affirmed.
It is important to note that the state of Maharashtra has been witnessing massive communal tensions for a few weeks as Hindu organizations have been organizing protests against the atrocities faced by Hindus in Bangladesh at the hands of Islamists. The Sakal Hindu Samaj organized massive rallies in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Mumbai and Nashik, Jalgaon expressing solidarity with Hindus who are facing atrocities in Bangladesh at the hands of Islamists after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government.
However, several Islamists attacked these rallies and pelted stones at the participants who demanded the Centre ensure the safety of Hindu temples and people in Bangladesh. A mob of around 300-400 Muslims attacked Hindus in Nashik and Jalgaon who participated in the rallies and stones were also pelted at the Hindu shops. Several roads were shut in the region tightening communal tensions. A detailed report on this case can be read here.
A mob of 300-400 IsIamists tried to attack Hindu families in Nashik, Maharashtra this afternoon. Luckily MH Police had Intel about it, they reached there on time, saved the Hindu families and treated the IsIamists well…
It is believed that to counter the same and to distract the authorities, and communities from these attacks, the Islamists have made the video of Ramgiri Maharaj a weapon to lead counter-protests alleging that deliberate derogatory comments had been passed by Ramgiri Maharaj against the Muslim community.
Conclusion: Changed context of the comment
The Islamist protests against Ramgiri Maharaj ongoing at present remind us of the wild worldwide protests that were organized to target former BJP leader Nupur Sharma. Several Islamist communities across the world demanded ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ punishment for the woman who happened to make similar alleged remarks which offended the Islamists. Several Hindus who extended support to her were cut into two, sent to jails, and harassed, sending fear and shock waves across the Hindu community, at the same time.
The Islamist response to Nupur Sharma’s alleged comments seemed to be a deliberate attempt to target a political leader, a woman, moreover a Hindu, so much so that the worldwide Islamists demanded ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ punishment for her based on the video that was selectively put on social media by Alt News’ Mohammed Zubair, without mentioning how her alleged remarks were in response to Tasleem Rehmani insulting Lord Shiva on live television. The act incited Islamists to create chaos across the nation. The same seems to be happening at present in the case of Ramgri Maharaj.
Ramgiri Maharaj explained the context in which he said whatever he said. He confirmed that he made the statement in the wake of ongoing atrocities faced by Hindus in Bangladesh at the hands of Islamists. However, the Islamist community in India happened to ignore the context completely and is now deliberately targeting the Hindu saint by spreading his edited video from the one-and-a-half-hour-long sermon. The Islamist community in the state is also believed to have been seeing this as an opportunity to lead counter-protests against the Sakal Hindu Samaj who is protesting to seek the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh.
The citizens of Maharashtra and that of India must look into these sensitive cases in the manner that they deserve to be looked upon. Changing or missing contexts of certain statements, spreading wild communal messages through social media, deliberately targeting any individual, and then politicians playing politics on such issues is anything but an indication of failed individual conscience. It’s high time that targeting Hindus over such issues based on one community’s individual law stops. We all live in India which is governed by the Constitution which further guards ‘freedom of speech’, and ‘freedom of religion’ and ‘expression’, and the same should be respected by every community staying within. Period.
While referring to the vandalism incident at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital on Wednesday night (14th August), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blamed opposition parties – Vam (Left/CPIM) and Ram (reference for BJP) for creating unrest in the state. CM Banerjee who also holds the portfolio of Home Minister, and Health Minister, has been facing massive criticism over failure in maintaining Law and order, especially after a large mob laid siege at R G Kar Hospital. Apart from vandalism, the violent mob also attacked protesting doctors who have been demanding Justice for the rape and murder of a female trainee doctor.
Deflecting criticism over the late-night vandalism incident, Mamata Banerjee went on to blame the left and BJP and said, “Left and Ram want to create unrest in Bengal and they both have come together to do this.” However, the major arrests in the hospital vandalism incident point otherwise.
As per the last update by Kolkata Police, they have arrested around 30 people in relation to the vandalism incident at RG Kar Hospital, and reportedly some of them are linked with the ruling state party, Trinamool Congress. Facing criticism over the violence, Kolkata Police have also released 76 photos of people allegedly involved in the vandalism incident.
According to an Indian Express report, the accused — identified or arrested in the vandalism incident — include a few Trinamool Congress workers, a couple of women, and several men who are in their teens or 20s.
OpIndia earlier reported that one of the arrested accused was identified as Soumik Das, a TMC worker as per his family members. He is a close confidante of Trinamool Congress councillor Sukanta Sen Sharma and a gym trainer by occupation. Before his arrest, he said that he got carried away and attacked the healthcare facility without any provocation. In the photo and video released by Kolkata Police on their social media handle, he was seen using a baton and vandalising parts of the emergency building.
(Soumik Das, Image Source – OpIndia Archive)
(Soumik Das, as seen in photo released by Kolkata Police, used a baton and vandalised the emergency building. Photo Courtesy: X/@KolkataPolice)
Speaking to The Indian Express, his aunt, who did not wish to be identified, admitted that he is a TMC worker. She said, “Ask the party whether he worked for them or not. Ask anyone here – they will tell you that he was a party (TMC) worker. He was not alone; other youths also went with him.”
Locals said that Das is known to Sukanta Sen Sharma, a local TMC leader and councillor of ward number 14. However, TMC leader Sukanta claimed that he didn’t know Soumik Das and dismissed that he was a TMC worker.
Sukanta said, “I don’t know him. I don’t think he belongs to our party. Everyone is a TMC supporter or worker these days; some are friends, some are enemies.”
Furthermore, another arrested accused has been identified as Jabbar Ansari (40), a TMC worker, as per his family members. In the photo released by the Kolkata Police, Ansari is seen instructing the mob inside the emergency building of RG Kar Hospital as the vandalism was underway. He has not been arrested so far. His family members also claimed that they didn’t know where he was as he had not returned home since that night.
His sister, Bacchiya Apa, said, “We do not know where he is, but the police are calling every day. I do not know what he has done. But it is not right to disturb us. My brothers are known TMC workers in the area, respected people.”
Jabbar Ansari’s elder daughter (aged 20), said, “I have seen the picture. He is a respected man. He must have been asking them (the miscreants) to leave the hospital.”
The third accused in the RG Kar vandalism incident is Rishi Kant Mishra (35) who was arrested by the Police on Friday night. He is also reportedly linked with the Trinamool Congress.
His brother Lakshman Mishra said, “They said he pelted stones. We don’t know. I went to the police station and they told me he had been arrested.”
Mishra’s elder brother Srikant is a building materials supplier and a TMC worker. According to neighbours, the two are often seen at party events. Locals said that Mishra works in a godown.
Meanwhile, Indian Express reported that it has spoken to the families of 15 people — 14 who have been arrested and one who is allegedly absconding. According to the report, most of the accused come from nearby areas. Family members of most of these accused have claimed that their relative was innocent who had gone near the RG Kar Hospital to see what the commotion was. They have alleged that the Police should have arrested the culprits who carried out vandalism at the RG Kar Hospital, rather than arresting passersby.
Krishna Ghosh is the mother of one of the arrested accused, Paul Ghosh (27). His mother said, “On Friday afternoon, the police came and informed us that he had been arrested. The police should arrest vandals, not bystanders.”
Additionally, family members of a few accused told The Indian Express that they went to the local TMC councillors but they refused to help them.
Family members of some of the accused said that their relative was there only to see the commotion.
19-year-old Md Azlan Ul Haq’s family claimed that he went there to check what the commotion was about. His mother, Sahina Haq said, “At night, there were rallies and some commotion. My son went to see what was happening. In the morning, he didn’t return. We finally learnt from the court that he has been arrested. He is not that kind of a boy. His career will be ruined.”
19-year-old Tanvir Alam used to be a driver but is currently unemployed. Like most of the accused, he also lives in the vicinity of the hospital.
His uncle Mukhtar Ali said, “Like all boys in the neighbourhood, he went to RG Kar on hearing about the commotion. The next day we saw a photo released by the Kolkata police of him standing inside the emergency department. We went to the police station to see him but were not allowed.”
‘Absolute failure of state machinery, we will close down the hospital’: Calcutta HC Mob had lambasted Police over the vandalism incident at RG Kar Hospital
On Wednesday (14th August) night, a large violent mob carried out vandalism at RG Kar Hospital and attacked protesting doctors who have been demanding Justice for the rape and murder of a female trainee doctor. Later, on Friday, the Calcutta High Court again came down heavily on the West Bengal government over the RG Kar Medical College Hospital rape and murder incident and transferred the case of vandalism in the hospital to the CBI. The court had already handed over the probe into the rape and murder of the trainee doctor to the central probe agency.
The state claimed that police tried to stop the mob, but they were outnumbered by around 7000 strong mob and could not prevent the attack, adding that several cops were injured. The court responded by saying how police will protect the doctors and others if they can’t protect even themselves.
Unsatisfied with the replies of the state, the court even threatened to close down the hospital and shift the patients to a different hospital and remarked that the incident was an absolute failure of the state machinery.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday hit out at the INDI Alliance and said that their appeasement politics did not serve justice to Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh or Jain refugees who were seeking citizenship in India.
Home Minister Amit Shah distributed Citizenship certificates under CAA to refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan in Ahmedabad.
Amit Shah said, “CAA is not just for giving citizenship to people, it is also to give justice and rights to lakhs of people. Because of the appeasement politics of Congress and its allies, people seeking refuge did not get justice from 1947 to 2014. They were tortured in neighbouring countries because they were Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh or Jain, but they were also tortured in their own country… The appeasement politics of INDI Alliance did not serve them justice. PM Modi gave them justice.”
He further said that partition of India was done on the basis of religion.
“When partition took place then riots occurred. Crores of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists living in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan had to bear the brunt and many families were eliminated. Congress had assured that the refugees from these countries would be given citizenship in India but did not do so to appease its vote bank,” he added.
He further said that the BJP had assured in 2014 that if it came to power it would implement CAA.
“Although the law was passed in 2019 still there was a delay in giving citizenship because the minorities were misled but CAA does not take away citizenship from anyone. Today also some state governments are misleading people. In my state, 128 families have become citizens of India. When Bangladesh was created there were 27 per cent Hindus there but today it is 9 per cent because they were forced to change their religion,” he added.
Earlier Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation of various development projects in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Amit Shah inaugurated Oxygen Park and Jheel in Ahmedabad. Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel was also present.
Amit Shah said, “Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has resolved to plant 30 lakh trees in 100 days. I have also joined this campaign. The people of Ahmedabad should also join it. Can we plant number of trees equal to the number of our family members? Environment change and global warming are two extreme dangers for humans today. PM Modi has called for ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’ and planting a tree with our mothers. All of us should understand our responsibility and plant a tree and look after it.”
After Trinamool Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray demanded the Custodial interrogation of Kolkata Commissioner of Police and the ex-principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in connection with the rape and murder of the trainee doctor at the hospital, the police have issued him a notice accusing him of spreading “wrong information”. Ray has been asked to appear at the police headquarters at 4 pm today, as per reports.
Sukhendu Sekhar Ray had posted a tweet on X raising several questions regarding the investigation into the horrific crime. He had claimed that sniffer dog was used at the crime scene 3 days after the incident, and asked the reason for the delay. He also questioned who patronised main accused Sanjoy Roy to be so powerful.
CBI must act fairly . Custodial interrogation of Ex Principal and Police Commissioner is a must to know who and why floated suicide story.Why wall of hall demolished, who patronised Roy to be so powerful, Why sniffer dog used after 3 days.100s of such questions. Make them speak
He also said, “CBI must act fairly. Custodial interrogation of Ex Principal and Police Commissioner is a must to know who and why floated suicide story.”
The police claimed that Ray’s claim that sniffer dogs were deployed at the crime scene after three days was incorrect, and therefore he is accused of spreading “wrong information”. They added that sniffer dogs were sent twice, the morning after the crime and then 3 days later.
“The information that sniffer dog was sent after three days is completely wrong. Sniffer dog was sent twice, on 9th and then on 12th (August). A notice under Section 35(1) of BNS has been sent to Sukhendu Sekhar Ray,” the Kolkata Police said in a statement.
The party leaders also criticised Ray for his comments. Senior Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh called slammed Sukhendu Sekhar Ray for demanding the questioning of Kolkata Commissioner of Police in connection with the case, saying that he strongly opposes this demand.
Ghosh claimed that Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal tried his best in the case, and he was personally handling the case. He added that this kind post, that too from a senior party leader, is unfortunate.
I also demand justice in RGKar case. But strongly oppose this demand regarding CP. After got information He has tried his best. Personally CP was doing his job and investigation was in a positive focus. This kind of post is unfortunate, that too from my senior leader. https://t.co/quLVsUEXCd
The TMC leader tweeted, “I also demand justice in RG Kar case. But strongly oppose this demand regarding CP. After got information He has tried his best. Personally CP was doing his job and investigation was in a positive focus. This kind of post is unfortunate, that too from my senior leader.”
Notably, Kunal Ghosh didn’t defend Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Notably, the Calcutta High Court slammed the police heavily for mishandling the case, and allowing a mob to vandalise the hospital. The court lambasted the police for not even being able to protect themselves from the mob. Notably, several TMC supporters have been arrested for vandalising the hospital.
It has also been revealed that the mob wanted to the seminar room on the third floor, where the body of the victim was found. But due to a confusion over floor number, they vandalised the second floor instead, and the crime scene was protected by chance, while the cops were hiding in bathrooms and behind protesting medical students.
Earlier, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray had joined the protests over the incident, earning ire of the party.
The Bombay High Court recently held that minority educational institutions cannot admit economically and socially disadvantaged children under the RTE Act, even if they chose to do so “voluntarily”. The HC’s Aurangabad bench ruled that allowing such admissions would violate the constitutional protections that exempt minority educational institutions from tha mandate of the RTE Act.
Notably, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act), mandates every school to reserve 25% of seats for children from disadvantaged and weaker sections of society. Students enrolled under this quota are provided concessions on school fees – the state governments have to then reimburse private schools. However, minority-aided and unaided educational institutions are exempted from the mandate of the RTE Act, courtesy 93rd Constitutional Amendment, 2005.
The bench of Justices Mangesh Patil and Shailesh Brahme upheld the exemption for the minority institutions while hearing petitions filed by Izak English Medium School and Anand Medical and Education Foundation. Both of them are minority-run English-medium schools in Ahmednagar. The petitions had challenged a government circular dated 15th March 2013, that excluded minority schools from admitting students under the RTE quota.
The petitioners’ counsel submitted that the school should be allowed to admit students under the 25% quota as a “voluntary gesture”. They, however, sought reimbursement from the State government for admitting these students during the previous years.
The Court dismissed their submissions stating that by permitting the admission of students under the RTE Act, these institutions would violate their constitutional rights under Article 30(1). The Article says that all minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
On 14th August, the two-judge bench observed, “Once the constitutional bench of the Supreme Court has held the RTE Act itself being ultra vires Article 30(1) of the Constitution, this Court in exercise of the powers under Article 226 of the Constitution cannot permit the minority institutes like the petitioners to subject themselves to the provisions of the RTE Act. Even if they [minority institutions] are ready and willing [to admit students under the RTE quota], allowing them to do so could be only by making the provisions of the RTE Act applicable to them, which in itself is prohibited by virtue of the declaration in Pramati Educational and Cultural Trust (supra).”
The bench added that allowing the institutions to do so would amount to making RTE applicable to them. The court based its ruling on Section 1(5) of the RTE Act which explicitly exempts minority institutions from its applicability.
The court underlined that the RTE Act “expressly excludes” aided or unaided minority schools, Madrasas, and Educational Institutions primarily imparting religious instruction.
However, while dismissing their petitions, the bench said that admittedly Izak English Medium School had previously enrolled students under the RTE quota and had not been reimbursed for the academic years 2017-18 to 2019-20. Subsequently, it directed the government to undertake “scrutiny of the claim” and reimburse the school within six weeks.
RTE heavily skewed against Hindu Educational Institutions (HEI), tens of thousands of HEI closed down because of the RTE mandate
The 93rd Constitutional Amendment which exempted minority institutions from the mandate of RTE, has often faced severe criticism from Hindu advocacy groups and legal experts as it discriminates against Hindu-run private schools and makes them unable to compete effectively with minority-run institutions. It has put the onus to serve poor students solely on privately-run educational institutions, run by Hindus, to reserve 25% of seats for poor and disadvantaged students. They are also expected to spend their monetary resources on their textbooks, uniforms, transport, etc.
In theory, the government compensates this expense, however, in reality, this puts Hindu-run institutions at the mercy of the government to seek a refund which takes a long time. This has led to the closure of tens of thousands of Hindu-run schools which has translated into them ceding ground to minority institutions in this regard. According to a 2017 CAG report, the government took as long as 307 days to release these funds to schools. A recent report estimated that the RTE is responsible for the shutting down of more than 10,000 Hindu-run schools.
In contrast, the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions Act (NCMEI Act) 2004 liberally grants minority status to schools established by minority groups. Ever since the act came into effect in 2005, thousands of minority institutions across the country have applied for and secured the minority tag which has often become a way to prevent themselves from the ambit of RTE mandate. The data emphasises how there is a direct and strong correlation between the introduction of the RTE Act and the mushrooming of institutions securing minority status and circumventing RTE’s 25% quota, albeit at the expense of Hindu educational institutions, which have closed down in tens of thousands in the last decade or so.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of ₹ 3 lakh on Sriram’s IAS for misleading advertisement. The decision was taken to protect & promote the rights of consumers as a class and ensure that no false or misleading advertisement is made of any goods or services that contravenes the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
In view of the violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the CCPA, headed by Chief Commissioner, Nidhi Khare, and Commissioner, Anupam Mishra issued an Order against Sriram’s IAS for misleading advertisement regarding the UPSC Civil Service Exam 2022.
Coaching Institutes and online edtech platforms use pictures and names of the same successful candidates to influence prospective aspirants (consumers), without disclosing the courses opted for by such candidates & length of the course so attended, CCPA stated
Sriram’s IAS in its advertisement made the following claims-
“200 plus selections in UPSC Civil Service Exam 2022”
“We are India’s No.1 Prestigious UPSC/IAS Coaching Institute”
CCPA found out that it Sriram’s IAS advertised various types of courses but the information with respect to the course opted by the advertised successful candidates in the abovementioned UPSC Civil Service exams results was deliberately concealed in the advertisement. This has the effect of consumers falsely believing that all the successful candidates so claimed by the Institute had opted for the paid courses advertised by the Institute on its website.
Section- 2(28) (iv) of the Consumer Protection Act talks about misleading advertisements in relation to deliberately concealing important information. Information regarding the course opted by successful candidates is important for the consumers to know so that they can make informed choices while deciding which course and coaching institute to join.
Sriram’s IAS in its response submitted the details of only 171 successful candidates against its claim of 200 plus selections in UPSC CSE 2022. Out of these 171 candidates, 102 were from Free Interview Guidance Programme (IGP), 55 were from the Free Test Series, 9 were from the GS Classroom course and 5 candidates were from different States under the MoU signed between the State Government and the Institute to provide free coaching. This fact was not disclosed in their advertisement, thereby deceiving consumers.
It is a well-known fact that successful candidates of the Civil Services Examination have to clear all the 3 stages of the Exams. Viz., Prelims, Main Exams and Personality Test (PT). While the Prelims is a screening test, the marks obtained in both the Mains Exams and Personality Test are counted for getting finally selected. The total marks for Main Exams and PT are 1750 and 275 respectively.
Thus, the contribution of the Personality Test is 13.5% in the total marks. The majority of candidates had already cleared the Preliminary and Mains examinations by himself/herself, with no contribution from Sriram’s IAS. By concealing this important fact, such false & misleading advertisement creates a huge impact on those consumers who are UPSC aspirants without letting them know that Sriram’s IAS had offered guidance to only such successful candidates who had already cleared Preliminary and Mains examinations of the UPSC examination. Thus, the advertisement has violated the consumer’s right to be informed so as to protect himself against unfair trade practices.
Nidhi Khare, Chief Commissioner of CCPA, emphasized that an advertisement shall contain truthful & honest representation of facts by disclosing important information in such a manner that they are clear, prominent and extremely hard to miss for consumers. She highlighted the importance of consumer rights and the obligation of advertisers to provide accurate information to consumers.
