The Outpouring of Public Angst and Protests in Kolkata: A Recurring Tragedy

Paromita Das

GG News Bureau

New Delhi, 9^th September. The recent horrific case of rape and murder in Kolkata has ignited widespread outrage and protests, yet again highlighting the deep-seated frustration of the public with systemic failures. Sadly, this pattern of anguish, protest, and subsequent disillusionment is not new. Time and again, similar instances across the country have triggered mass demonstrations, only for them to fade into obscurity, with no substantive change to show for it. The political class, rather than focusing on addressing the root causes of these tragedies, often seizes the opportunity to indulge in partisan blame games, effectively sullying the narrative and distracting from meaningful solutions.

The Tragic Repetition of Failures

This trend of public outrage followed by political opportunism is deeply disturbing. While citizens come together to express their collective anger and demand justice, political entities across the spectrum exploit the situation to point fingers at one another. This detracts from the real issue at hand: the failure of institutions to protect citizens and ensure justice. Over time, what begins as a unified outcry against injustice devolves into a divisive spectacle where different factions attempt to assign blame to the ‘other.’ In this noise, the true cause of the problem is often obscured, and the opportunity for real reform is missed.

A common outcome of such tragic events is that they soon fade from public memory. The media, which initially amplifies the voices of the protesters, eventually moves on to other headlines. Political leaders who made lofty promises in the heat of the moment fail to follow through, and the situation remains unchanged. As a result, society is left grappling with the same issues until the next horrific event sparks a new round of protests.

Institutional Failures and the Culture of Cover-ups

The recent incident in Kolkata is a glaring example of how institutional failures contribute to such tragedies. As noted by the Supreme Court, the case has “shocked the conscience of the nation,” and the handling of the investigation has come under severe criticism. However, the term “authorities” remains vague, encompassing hospital authorities, law enforcement agencies, and a broader culture of minimizing incidents to preserve the illusion of normalcy. This phenomenon is not unique to Kolkata; it permeates institutions across states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Manipur.

The practice of covering up critical incidents is symptomatic of a larger problem within Bharat’s institutional framework. Instead of addressing their failures and ensuring justice, authorities often prioritize saving face and maintaining a semblance of control. This attitude pervades various agencies, including the police, judiciary, and even the media, leading to a cycle of neglect and impunity.

Accountability and Independence: The Way Forward

To break this cycle of institutional failure and cover-ups, several key reforms must be implemented. Firstly, agencies must operate with independence, free from political interference. Law enforcement, in particular, needs to be detached from political oversight to ensure unbiased investigations and swift action. The long-standing issue of police reforms has been ignored for far too long, with numerous reports gathering dust in government corridors. It is imperative that these reforms are enacted to create a professional, efficient, and accountable police force.

The politicization of criminal cases must also be curtailed. Political leaders should not be allowed to hijack such incidents for their gain, and whataboutery should be discouraged. This practice only serves to distract from the real issues and prevents meaningful discourse on how to prevent future tragedies. The media plays a crucial role in this regard and must be emboldened to hold all stakeholders accountable, regardless of political affiliations.

The Role of the Media: Speaking Truth to Power

The media, as a watchdog of democracy, has a responsibility to question those in power without fear or favor. Unfortunately, in many cases, the media succumbs to partisanship and fails to fulfill this vital role. The infamous period of the Emergency serves as a grim reminder of how the media can be coerced into submission. Media outlets must resist the temptation to pander to political powers and instead focus on unearthing the truth.

In recent high-profile cases like the Nirbhaya incident, the Sushant Singh Rajput case, and the Manipur riots, media coverage often devolved into a circus of partisan bickering rather than objective reporting. This undermines the public’s trust in the media and obfuscates the real issues that need addressing. The press must remain steadfast in its duty to question, investigate, and inform without becoming entangled in political agendas.

Judicial Delays and the Absence of Fear of Conviction

One of the key reasons for the recurrence of such heinous crimes is the lack of fear of legal consequences. The Bharatiya judicial system is plagued by delays, with over 50 million cases pending in courts across the country. Expecting speedy trials and convictions in such an overburdened system is unrealistic. The slow pace of justice not only fails the victims but also emboldens potential offenders who perceive the system as ineffective.

Adding to the crisis is the perceived corruption within the lower judiciary, which erodes public confidence in the legal system. The backlog of cases, combined with the lack of accountability, creates an environment where justice is delayed or denied altogether. It is essential that the government invests in expanding judicial personnel, addressing corruption, and ensuring that political influences are kept at bay. Only then can the judiciary fulfill its role as a pillar of democracy and deliver timely justice.

Political Interference: The Root of the Problem

At the heart of these institutional failures lies the interference of the political class. Whether it’s the police, the judiciary, or the media, political influence undermines the effectiveness of these institutions. Law enforcement agencies remain “caged parrots,” beholden to political masters, which compromises their ability to function independently. The political class benefits from this arrangement, as it allows them to deflect accountability and maintain control over narratives.

The Indian Armed Forces, which operate with relative independence from political interference, provide a stark contrast to the politicized police force. This model of non-interference should be extended to other institutions, particularly the police, to ensure professionalism and unbiased functioning. Without such reforms, incidents like the one in Kolkata will continue to occur with disturbing regularity.

Conclusion: The Need for Reform and Accountability

The protests in Kolkata, like those before them, are a powerful reminder of the deep frustrations that the public feels towards a system that repeatedly fails them. However, these protests alone will not bring about change unless they are accompanied by a serious push for institutional reforms. Police reform, judicial reform, and true freedom of the press are essential to preventing future tragedies and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.

Ultimately, the responsibility lies not just with the political class but with society as a whole. As citizens, we must demand better from our leaders and institutions. We must insist on a culture of questioning, transparency, and accountability. Only then can we hope to break the cycle of impunity and ensure that justice is served. It is not about one political party or another; it is about building a system that protects all citizens and upholds the principles of justice and fairness.

The situation in Kolkata, and indeed across Bharat, calls for a collective reckoning. The public must move beyond short-term outrage and push for long-term institutional reforms. The political class should no longer be allowed to politicize such tragedies, and we must hold our leaders accountable. Without systemic changes, these horrific incidents will continue to occur, and justice will remain elusive.