Indian Professor: “Women, Life, Freedom” is an important, universal message

On August 9, an Indian female doctor was raped and then murdered in the city of Calcutta in the Indian state of West Bengal. This crime sparked widespread public anger, especially among women and doctors. On the 18th of this month, the Indian Medical Association called for a strike, announced the suspension of all non-urgent services in all hospitals in the country, and gave the authorities 72 hours to hold the criminals accountable.

The slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom" was prominent during the protests, written in Kurdish and Hindi. Professor Anuradha Shenoy, a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University in India, spoke about the women's protests in Iran.

This event  is different.

 Anuradha Shenoy referred to the increase in crimes against women in India and the world, particularly in 'Third World States ', and pointed out that the recent event was different from that of its predecessors: "This event is different, and what characterizes it is that the crimes are dramatically exposed, that women and social movements protest these crimes, that the police had previously sought to cover up these crimes, and that the families sought to cover up the crimes to which women were exposed; because they said honour is tarnished, and that they did not support the victims."

Anuradha Shenoy explained that the Medical College Department had not directed evidence of the crime, and the police reported that the victim had probably died of suicide and had not included the correct initial information in the report. The crime had been covered up. Shenoy stated that the family of the murdered doctor, her parents, colleagues, relatives and friends had made a lot of noise and had not shut up about the crime, told the press about it and moved to expose the police and university and arrest the criminals.

"Massive protests"

Anuradha Shenoy drew attention to the need to investigate crimes against women and said: "The institution where the crime took place must take responsibility. The police must be held accountable. The safety of women must be ensured.

Professor Anuradha Shenoy stated that the slogan "Women, life, freedom" was a global message and explained that women's problems and demands were global. "Women's movements are also global. We hope that protests will result in greater safety for women in all spheres of society. There is a high risk that they will have an impact and lead to reforms in the police with a view to maintaining women's safety. There are laws on sexual abuse and, of course, on women's safety in India, which can be strengthened."

T/ Satt.

ANHA