Dr Abhaya: The greatest of whistleblowers

 

The lady doctor, in her death, has blown the whistle on the entire system. It is very painful that she had to experience such brutality for the extensive criminal network to be exposed. She has punctured the puss filled sore with her death and what pours out should be examined to diagnose the malady.

Justice here ought to expand beyond the unfortunate event that has happened. The departed soul must be appeased by addressing all the issues that have come to the fore.

Apart from the extensive corruption at institutional, medical and political levels, what else has been exposed? It is for all of us to sit and decide.

I have been to Bengal several times. I have witnessed one Bengal in my childhood trips and another in later days. The intense politicization of everything within the State has stood out like a sore thumb. It is hidden by the good nature of the Bengali bhadralok who tends to take everything in his stride with a sense of humour. However this politicization has eaten into the core of Bengal.

In my trips I have been frankly informed about this by all I have met but I was told that "so long as you do not party" you are safe. Here party does not mean club parties but indulging in party politics.

Due to my health reasons I no longer travel. But another thing I noticed is the deteriorating social conditions as the party politics invaded homes and plays havoc with the way the bhadrolok behaves towards women. If it is a party matter one can misbehave with women as well. Should this be accepted?

I noticed the helplessness of the people who for ages enjoyed a culture that was known for unalloyed joy and festivities. The inevitable modernism crept in and the city has become like any other. The gender sensitiveness that the race is characterized by has taken a hit. But life continues as the Bengali is difficult to subdue. He always pretends that all is well.

The common factor that accompanies such incidents of violence against women is noticed here too; people outside Bengal have reacted according to their political mindset, a dastardly trend established since long. But Bengal has reacted differently. The common people have united in protest putting their political leanings aside and exposed the posturing of political parties as well. They have done it brilliantly.

The way the spontaneous and voluntary civic protest was handled is vastly different from student protests that we have witnessed elsewhere. The bhadralok culture is alive and well.

The incident that has happened has pointed out that there is a huge gap between the Bengal that we pretend exists and the real Bengal that we stare at. This is what the people of Bengal should address.

Atoning for the death of the lady doctor will involve having frank discussions at all levels encompassing the broad picture. The Bengal that has always enchanted the world with its art, culture, humour, camaraderie, and sensitivity must emerge again. Something unthinkable has happened, not in a rural set up but in the heart of a prestigious institution in the city. The people of the State must utilize their intellectual capability and fairness in dealing with this sensitive issue.

Let Bengal once again show the way. Let us honor the greatest of whistleblowers and with patience seek a way out from the morass a burgeoning capitalist society has pushed us into.