Kolkata rape-murder case: VP Dhankhar demands reflection and action from public figures, NGOs

VP Dhankhar called upon these individuals to reconsider their statements and issue public apologies.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar in a strong condemnation of recent comments and inactions related to the Kolkata rape and murder case, has called for reflection and accountability from both public figures and NGOs. Dhankhar criticized the remarks of some senior public figures and the silence of various NGOs, accusing them of exacerbating the situation rather than contributing to meaningful solutions.

Speaking at an event on September 1, Dhankhar expressed his disapproval of certain voices, including those from a Member of Parliament and a senior advocate, who have downplayed the severity of the incident. He remarked, "When humanity has been shamed, there are some stray voices, voices that cause concern. They only aggravate our excruciating pain. To put it mildly, they are adding salt to our injured conscience."

Dhankhar addressed the controversial comments made by Kapil Sibal, a senior advocate and Member of Parliament. Dhankhar said, "What do they say, 'it is a symptomatic malaise, a frequent incident'. When it comes from someone who is the Member of Parliament, a senior advocate, then the culpability is of extreme degree."

He further called upon these individuals to reconsider their statements and issue public apologies. Dhankhar emphasized that such comments, seen through a political lens, are damaging and counterproductive. "There can be no alibi for such kind of demonising thoughts. I call upon such misguided souls to revisit their thoughts and publicly tender apology. This is not an occasion where you should be looking through political prism. This political prism is dangerous one, it kill your objectivity. It calls for searching within," Dhankhar said.

Dhankhar also spoke about NGOs, accusing them of hypocrisy. He stated, "Certain NGOs who are on road for drop of an incident, drop of a hat, but they are in silence mode. We have to question them. Their silence is much worse than the culpable act of perpetrators of this heinous crime that happened on August 9 2024." He criticized these organizations for not addressing the issue more actively and instead focusing on political gains, urging them to respond to the crisis with sincerity and action.

Earlier, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar termed the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital as a "painful" incident, and called for a strong deterrent system to ensure that the perpetrators of such crimes are effectively punished.

Also, President Droupadi Murmu has voiced her deep concern over the increasing frequency of crimes against women, stating that "enough is enough". Regarding the Kolkata case, she expressed her "dismay and horror," emphasizing the need for "honest and unbiased self-introspection" in society.