Another campus horror in West Bengal: Women’s safety in crisis

A second-year MBBS student from Odisha, studying at IQ City Medical College in Durgapur, West Bengal, was allegedly gang-raped near the college campus. On the night of the attack, she went out with a male friend, who reportedly lured her to a secluded area about a kilometre from the college. There, two or three men attacked her, raped her, stole her phone, and took Rs 5,000 before fleeing.

Police have arrested three local men and detained another, including questioning the survivor’s male friend. The student is receiving medical treatment and psychological counseling, but her father has expressed deep concern for her safety and requested that she be moved back to Odisha. West Bengal Police have assured strict action and asked the public not to spread unverified information.

This incident is the latest in a series of shocking cases in West Bengal that expose the grim reality: women are not safe, even in supposedly secure environments like college campuses. According to her father, the survivor was assaulted between 8 pm and 9 pm after leaving campus with a classmate. That classmate allegedly fled, leaving her alone and vulnerable.

The attack has prompted immediate interstate pressure, with Odisha’s State Commission for Women and political leaders demanding swift arrests and sending teams to support the survivor. The family’s request to move her to another state highlights their lack of confidence in local law enforcement and fear for her safety, even while she is studying.

This is not an isolated case. Only months ago, a 24-year-old law student in south Kolkata was allegedly gang-raped inside her college. The prime accused, Monojit Mishra, a former student with political influence, underscored how campus power networks can shield perpetrators and intimidate survivors. Similarly, in the R. G. Kar Medical College case, a trainee doctor was raped and murdered on campus. The accused, connected to influential circles, initially faced delays in investigation, and the state government’s response was widely criticized as slow and inadequate. The case triggered nationwide protests, a doctors’ strike, and eventually a CBI takeover of the probe after allegations of tampering and administrative negligence. Despite massive public outrage, reforms promised after R. G. Kar has been slow or ineffective, highlighting persistent gaps in campus safety and law enforcement.

The Durgapur incident: a stark reflection of systemic failure

The recent gang rape of a medical student in Durgapur underscores a grim reality: systemic failures persist despite repeated tragedies. Campus security remains inadequate, with minimal lighting, untrained guards, and weak patrols, leaving students vulnerable. Police responses are often slow or defensive, and when perpetrators wield political or social influence, investigations are delayed or compromised. Outrage erupts, protests are held, promises are made, but over time, everything fades. Accused individuals often secure bail and return to public life long before justice is served, while victims are left to live with trauma and fear.

Political rhetoric and victim blaming

CM Mamata Banerjee's recent comment that "girls should not be allowed to go outside college at night" has sparked widespread criticism. This statement shifts the responsibility onto victims, suggesting they must protect themselves, rather than holding perpetrators accountable. Such rhetoric not only blames the victims but also normalizes victim-blaming and avoids confronting the real failures of policing and governance.

A cycle of outrage and inaction

The harsh reality is simple: even after repeated tragedies, meaningful change remains elusive. Political and administrative systems are slow, inconsistent, and often performative. Social attitudes continue to trivialize or blame victims. Until there is sustained political will, systemic reform, strict law enforcement, and societal change, the cycle will continue. Shock will lead to protest, protest will lead to promises, and promises will fade, while women remain unprotected.

A test for the nation

The Durgapur survivor is not just a statistic. Her injuries, her family's plea to move her to safety, and the arrests made so far are a test for the country: will outrage be turned into real protection, or will it again fade into forgetfulness? If nothing changes, the next tragedy is only a matter of time, revealing a grim reality: women in India are revered in words but often unprotected in practice.