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By AYESHA FATIMA
Democratic societies, where the dissemination of information enables citizens to form informed opinions, advocate for change and hold institutions accountable, rely heavily on the media’s ability to shape public opinion. In recent years, sensitive issues have sparked a great deal of public debate, especially those involving social justice and human rights. The recent Kolkata rape case is an example of a case that had a huge impact on public opinion, highlighting the media’s responsibility and power in shaping society’s perceptions.
The shocking incident took place on August 9, 2024, when Dr. Moumita Debnath, a resident physician at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Belgachyia, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, went missing and was later found dead. According to reports, the body of the doctor was found in a seminar room of the college at around 11:30 am, half-naked, with blood coming out of her lips, eyes and genitals. She later died. The autopsy revealed that the doctor was first raped and then strangled. The findings revealed that she had severe injuries on her vaginal system, lips, left leg, right hand, ring finger, neck and face. In addition, the autopsy report revealed that a vaginal swab containing about 150 mg of semen indicated that she had been gang-raped.
Despite progress since the Nirbhaya case, the fight against violence against women in India continues, with the 2024 Kolkata rape case serving as a sobering reminder. Despite being separated by nearly a decade, the Nirbhaya and Kolkata cases are linked by the ongoing fight for justice and equality.
The brutality of the crime, coupled with the victims’ quest for justice, captured the world’s attention. The media began to cover the case extensively as soon as the details came to light, highlighting not only the crime but also the structural issues that led to such atrocities, such as police incompetence, societal misogyny, and a weak legal framework. The way the media covered the case played a major role in turning it from a small-town tragedy into a national scandal. The use of graphic facts, victim testimonies, and public protests raised awareness and stirred moral outrage. Social media trends kept the public informed of the case by posting frequent updates and trending hashtags.
The 2024 Kolkata case is reminiscent of the 2012 Nirbhaya rape case. On December 16, 2012, 22-year-old physiotherapy trainee Jyoti Singh was brutally murdered. She was travelling in a private bus with her male companion Avindra Pratap Pandey when she was subjected to abuse, including beatings, gang rape and torture. The woman was raped and her friend was beaten by six people on the bus, including the driver. Eleven days after the attack, she was treated at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital and then flown to Singapore, where she died two days later from her injuries.
The incident sparked strong criticism both in India and abroad, with domestic and foreign media reporting on it. The public’s voice was amplified by the media, making this tragedy a turning point in India’s fight against gender-based violence.
Due to the widespread coverage of the Nirbhaya case, the issue of women’s safety gained national attention. Many media sites covered the story in depth, highlighting the horrific nature of the crime and the system’s shortcomings in protecting women. The victim was called “Nirbhaya” (meaning “fearless”) and has since become a symbol of India’s fight against gender-based violence.
The 2024 Calcutta case bears striking similarities to the Nirbhaya case, not only in the nature of the crime but also in the public response. In the Nirbhaya case, the media influenced public opinion and public outcry led to significant legal and political changes. These changes included the establishment of fast-track courts, the Nirbhaya Fund, and the Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, 2013. The Criminal Code (also known as the Nirbhaya Act) was one of the most significant legislative responses to the Nirbhaya tragedy. Focused primarily on strengthening the legal framework to prevent sexual crimes and ensure victim protection, the legislation significantly changed the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act.
The Nirbhaya case set a precedent on how the media can shape public opinion and drive social change. The case proved that sustained media coverage can bring about noticeable changes in the law and increase public awareness of gender-related issues. The Kolkata Answers case continues this tradition, demonstrating the continued effectiveness of the media as a weapon to promote justice and structural change. Many hashtags circulated on international platforms, such as #JusticeForMoumita, #Kolkata rape and murder case#ViolenceAgainstWomen, #JusticeForWomen, etc. Not only that, due to media coverage, this incident has also attracted international attention. Indian doctors are protesting across the country. On the eve of India’s Independence Day, women’s rights groups held a protest called “Take Back the Night” on the streets of Kolkata.
The role played by media is very important here because through media coverage or social media, people get to know the exact facts instead of making statements about the crime like an ostrich policy. For the daughters of India, a rape occurs every 16 minutes, 86 rapes occur every day, 99% of the criminals go unpunished, and many more rapes go unreported. According to reports, 21 rapes were reported in India in the 10 days between August 9 and August 18. These cases were reported by the victims or their family members or acquaintances. But hundreds of cases go unnoticed because people do not want to highlight their misfortune. In many cases, these violations are recorded and then used to blackmail the victims to keep silent.
This issue is not new. According to the NCRB report in 2022, 90 such heinous crimes are committed every day. The death penalty will block the path of such criminals. The role of media in the Kolkata rape case in 2024 is multifaceted. Media focuses on minute or specific details and gives a sense of people following every piece of evidence, resulting in less authenticity of the case. Since media has potential, it can lead you to the truth or spread opinions that can create obstacles in the judicial process.
Despite progress since the Nirbhaya case, the fight against violence against women in India continues, with the 2024 Kolkata rape case serving as a sobering reminder. Despite being separated by nearly a decade, the Nirbhaya and Kolkata cases are linked by the ongoing fight for justice and equality.
The author is a freelance columnist
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