Art Or Disrespect?: Controversy Erupts Over Kolkata Doctor’s Sculpture At RG Kar (image-X/Indian__doctor)
Junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Wednesday unveiled a statue symbolising the “woman in pain” as a tribute to the 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor who was brutally raped and murdered at the Kolkata hospital on August 9.
The fibreglass sculpture called ‘Cry of the Hour’ is titled Abhaya and is installed at the Platinum Jubilee Hall at RG Kar.
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Notably, the sculpture was unveiled at the hospital premises on the occasion of Mahalaya, marking the onset of Debipaksha ahead of Durga Puja. The statue aims to represent the pain and the anguish undergone by the trainee doctor and stands as a representation of the ongoing doctors protest demanding justice for the victim and her family.
The statue has triggered divided people, with some criticising the sculpture as an inappropriate use of creative freedom. Many claimed that the statue used the victim’s image, violating the Supreme Court’s ban on using the doctor’s image on social media.
Trinamool Congress leader and former MP criticised the move. “The installation of this statue in the name of Tilottama is against the spirit of the Supreme Court pronouncement. No responsible person can do that. Not even in the name of art. There will be protests, demands for justice. But the statue with the girl’s face of pain is not right. There are guidelines in the country called Nigrahita’s pictures, idols, etc.”
তিলোত্তমার নামে এই মূর্তিটি বসানো সুপ্রিম কোর্টের বক্তব্যের স্পিরিটের পরিপন্থী। কোনো দায়িত্বশীল ব্যক্তি এটা করতে পারেন না। শিল্পের নামেও না। প্রতিবাদ, ন্যায়বিচারের দাবি থাকবেই। কিন্তু মেয়েটির যন্ত্রণার মুখ দিয়ে মূর্তি ঠিক নয়। নিগৃহীতার ছবি, মূর্তি, নামে দেশে গাইডলাইন আছে। pic.twitter.com/LCnH7QRfJx
— Kunal Ghosh (@KunalGhoshAgain) October 2, 2024
Some netizens also expressed their disapproval of the sculpture. “This is the worst thing to be done, like this disrespectful and disgusting, demolish it.” Said one X user while another said, “The doctors of this country are so tone deaf. Why would you ever create a statue like this based on a rape victim.”
Meanwhile, many netizens opposed the criticism, arguing that the statue is not based on the victim’s face. “But is it really her photo? I thought it’s an artistic expression, Let a clarification be obtained from SC in this matter,” said an X user.
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Another remarked, ”Everyone must look at this bust and never forget what our sister, our colleague went through. We must continue fighting, and no justice will ever be enough justice. But at no point must we rest.”
The doctors resumed their ‘indefinite strike’ on Wednesday demanding the safety and security of healthcare workers in the state. Organised by the Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front, the protest march began at College Street and ended in Esplanade area.
