Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim has issued a sharp rebuke to both President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over their responses to crimes against women. Hakim’s remarks came in the wake of President Murmu’s strong condemnation of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College. While Murmu expressed being “dismayed, horrified, and outraged” by the incident, Hakim questioned why she singled out Kolkata, accusing her of remaining silent on similar incidents in other states, particularly Gujarat.
In a pointed critique, Hakim asked why President Murmu had not spoken out against incidents in Gujarat, where, he claimed, the state’s response has been inadequate. He specifically referenced the controversial garlanding of rapists in Gujarat, an incident that occurred in 2022 when convicts in the Godhra gangrape case were publicly honored upon their release. Hakim suggested that such actions embolden criminals and contribute to a culture of impunity.
During an exclusive interaction with ABP News, Hakim, who also serves as Bengal’s Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister, expressed his frustration with what he sees as a selective outrage. He emphasized that Bengal, a state that reveres the goddess Durga, knows how to respect women. According to Hakim, the rise in violence against women in Bengal is not reflective of the state’s culture but is instead influenced by the politics of hatred imported from other regions, particularly Gujarat.
Hakim accused the central government of failing to take adequate steps to protect women, and he called on Prime Minister Modi to introduce a new law to ensure justice for victims of such heinous crimes. “We want the PM to bring a new law. What are they waiting for?” Hakim asked. He criticized Modi’s rhetoric about ushering in a “Ram Rajya” (an era of righteous rule) while suggesting that figures akin to “Ravana” (the demon king in the Ramayana) are becoming more prevalent.
The mayor’s comments come amid heightened tensions in Bengal following the August 9 rape and murder of the trainee doctor. The incident has led to widespread outrage and criticism of the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led state government. Hakim defended the state government’s response, noting that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is advocating for the death penalty for the accused. However, he emphasized that the responsibility for delivering justice lies with the courts, not the state government.
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Hakim also echoed the Bengal government’s stance that the RG Kar case is not an isolated issue but a reflection of broader societal problems affecting the entire country. He referenced the Supreme Court’s view that the incident is a national issue, not just a regional one. Despite the criticism, Hakim asserted that the Bengal government is committed to justice and does not believe in using force or engaging in repressive politics.
In his remarks, Hakim also addressed the recent protests by the TMC against the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the questioning of Mamata Banerjee’s protest rally earlier this month. He defended the state’s right to protest, arguing that it is only natural for the state to express its dissent within its own borders. “If we (the state) have to protest against the CBI, where would it be done? We would do it in our state, so why are our protests being questioned?” Hakim asked.
President Murmu, in her article titled “Women’s Safety: Enough is Enough,” called for a national awakening to the pervasive issue of crimes against women. She highlighted the need to challenge the mindset that views women as inferior and objectifies them. “We owe it to our daughters to remove the hurdles from their path of winning the freedom from fear,” she wrote, urging the nation to take decisive action to protect women’s rights.
Hakim’s strong response to both the President and the Prime Minister reflects the deepening political divide in the country, particularly on issues of law and order, and the protection of women’s rights. As the debate continues, the focus remains on how both state and central governments will address these pressing concerns.
