India’s rape-murder case sparks calls for more women protection, strong policing

While reforms to tackle sexual crimes were introduced in recent years, such incidents against women remain prevalent in India

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Activists at a protest rally condemn the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:51pm, 27 Aug 2024

As India continues to reel from the shocking rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata, activists and lawyers say the country has to firmly tackle its high rate of sexual violence cases by introducing sweeping reforms ranging from enhancing the protection of women to changing cultural norms.

The tragedy has drawn comparisons with the infamous Nirbhaya case in 2012 when a 23-year-old woman was brutally gang-raped and murdered in a bus in Delhi, which led to widespread outrage and legal reforms.

However, campaigners point out that sexual crimes remain alarmingly common in India despite tougher laws, with significant gaps in enforcement and protection for vulnerable women particularly those from rural and underprivileged backgrounds.

Outrage over the 31-year-old doctor’s death on August 9 has fuelled nationwide protests and a week-long national strike by the Indian Medical Association that ended last week.

The doctor was found murdered in a hall of the hospital she was working at, with reports suggesting she had likely gone there to take a break after a long shift. Authorities have arrested a police volunteer for the crime and federal police have assumed control of the investigation.