The West Bengal Police have faced significant backlash on social media for a recent post about Constable Shampa Pramanik, who was injured during a protest march on August 14. The protest, held in response to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, saw a midnight rally where vandalism and violence erupted.
According to the police, late Wednesday night, a group of 30 to 40 individuals entered the hospital premises during the “Reclaim the Night” protest, leading to extensive property damage. The police were forced to use teargas and lathicharge to disperse the crowd. During the chaos, Constable Pramanik was struck in the face by a brick thrown from the mob, resulting in injuries.
The West Bengal Police’s tweet described the incident, emphasizing that the protest was meant to honor the memory of the victim and demand safer working conditions for women. “It was meant to be a night for women, when they reclaimed the streets demanding safety at the workplace,” the tweet stated, accompanied by a photo of Pramanik injured.
However, the post quickly drew criticism from social media users who accused the police of using the situation to play the victim card. Critics argued that the police’s focus should have been on maintaining order and protecting both the protesters and their officers, rather than highlighting their own plight. Comments ranged from accusing the police of incompetence to questioning their priorities in handling public safety.
The protests were triggered by the brutal murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor, whose body was found in a hospital seminar hall on August 9. The victim had been raped and strangled. Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer associated with the Kolkata Police, has been arrested in connection with the crime. The Calcutta High Court has transferred the case to the CBI for further investigation, amid calls for capital punishment for the accused and improved security for healthcare professionals.
In response to the incident, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) organized a 24-hour nationwide strike, halting most health services to demand justice and better working conditions for doctors.
