India Archive

In a move that has sparked significant controversy and dissent among students and free speech advocates, a second-year B.Com student was apprehended by Kolkata Police last Sunday, 18th August. The arrest was made on the grounds that the student, a 23-year-old named Kirti Sharma, shared three stories on social media concerning the harrowing rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The content of these posts, according to the police, was deemed “provocative” and overtly critical of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

In a significant turn of events on Friday, 16th July, the West Bengal police detained a young man following his critical remarks about Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on social media. The criticism was linked to the harrowing incident at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a junior doctor was tragically raped and murdered.

Following an aggressive incident where an unidentified mob vandalized the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Suhrita Pal, the newly appointed Principal, voiced her frustrations. Amidst the chaos, she called for trust from the public. The situation escalated as doctors protested, demanding action against the attackers and fulfillment of the medical students' and doctors' demands.

The tragic case of 31-year-old Dr. Moumita Debnath, a Kolkata doctor who was brutally raped and murdered, has sent shockwaves across the nation. The horrific crime has sparked widespread outrage, with countless voices rising in unison to demand justice. Politicians, journalists, celebrities, and concerned citizens alike have condemned the heinous act, urging authorities to ensure that the culprits are swiftly brought to justice. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken charge of the case, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the collective demand for accountability.

In a pivotal legal decision, the Supreme Court granted bail to Jalaluddin Khan, who was arrested under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The ruling was issued on August 13th, emphasizing the judiciary's commitment to the principle that "bail is the rule, jail is an exception." This principle is upheld even in cases prosecuted under special statutes, highlighting the court's dedication to protecting fundamental rights in even the most serious of cases.

The Calcutta High Court harshly criticized the West Bengal government on Friday in connection with the RG Kar Medical College Hospital rape and murder incident, and consequently transferred the vandalism case at the hospital to the CBI. The investigation concerning the rape and murder of the trainee doctor, Moumita Debnath, was already under the supervision of the central probe agency.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's recent allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left have sparked controversy, with her claiming that these groups have formed an unlikely alliance, dubbed "Ram and Bam," to instigate chaos in West Bengal. However, these accusations seem to shift focus from the state's own issues with governance and public safety.

On Thursday, 15th August, a startling revelation came from the banned organization ULFA(I), which declared that it had intended to disrupt Independence Day celebrations in Assam by planting explosives. The group alleged that technical malfunctions prevented the bombs from detonating. In an unexpected move, ULFA(I) communicated this information through an email sent to several media outlets, outlining the failure of their plan.