Junior doctors of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital watch the live proceedings of Supreme Court on the rape and murder of a trainee doctor. (PTI)
The incident has also revealed a widening fissure within the Trinamool Congress, with national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee withdrawing from routine political activities during probably the toughest turmoil the party has faced in the past decade
Nearly two months and at least five Supreme Court hearings down, the brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital continues to shock the nation. What began as a criminal investigation into the gruesome incident has since unravelled deeper issues — corruption in government hospitals, a culture of threat and intimidation in state-run medical institutions, widening rifts within the Trinamool Congress, a divided bureaucracy, and a polarised police force.
Even after the fifth hearing in the apex court, not much is known about the probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud-led division bench chose to not divulge details but stated that the central agency has got “substantial leads”.
The RG Kar incident has brought to light three significant and crucial issues plaguing West Bengal’s governance and political structure.
Corruption-Ridden, Broken Healthcare System
First, it exposed massive financial irregularities at the state-run hospital, raising serious concerns about the management and allocation of public funds within the healthcare system. Even though the alleged financial corruption is being probed for one state-run hospital, it raises questions on the entire healthcare system as patient-welfare committees and the ‘lobby’ system remain the same for all hospitals.
TMC Feud Erupts, Civic Police Force in Dock
Second, the incident has underscored the growing power of the civic police force which is allegedly rife with corruption and political interference. Despite numerous vacancies in the regular, uniformed police force, the civic police have been increasingly running the show, leading to a lack of accountability.
Despite multiple allegations, the state government is yet to initiate an inquiry into such a mammoth force. This situation raises questions about how political interests are influencing law enforcement, eroding trust in the system.
Third, the incident has also revealed a widening fissure within the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Abhishek Banerjee, the party’s national general secretary and a key figure in the party, has withdrawn from routine political activities during probably the toughest turmoil the party has faced in the past decade. Moreover, he let his office file an FIR against a close aide of veteran TMC leader and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, bringing the factional feud in public. This has intensified internal strife, highlighting cracks in the party’s leadership.
Discontent in bureaucracy, polarisation in police ranks
Additionally, the incident has led to divisions within the bureaucracy and the police force, with senior officers in the state secretariat questioning Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s decisions. The police ranks are becoming increasingly polarised, further complicating the governance challenges in the state.
The RG Kar incident, along with the doctors’ protest, has highlighted the deeply troubling trend of agreement-driven or demand-driven transfers of senior officers, including the commissioner of police. This particular instance raises questions on the government’s far-sightedness as the state chose not to remove the CP despite procedural lapses and the hospital premises being vandalised. However, Banerjee had to finally bite the bullet and transfer him after the protesting junior doctors refused to relent. According to senior bureaucrats serving in the state, this was an unprecedented move that underscores the government’s willingness to stoop to new lows to protect political interests.
These transfers appear to serve far-reaching obligations rather than merit-based governance, leading to probable future crises. Officers are often transferred under duress. However, this was the first time when senior officers were removed after the government buckled under pressure, said a top bureaucrat.
“The legitimacy of such moves is in question, particularly as it appears to be a recurring trope in Bengal’s governance model, which continues to erode middle-class trust in the system. This form of governance not only undermines morale of the officers but also shakes the foundation of moral legitimacy in public administration,” he further added.
