Kolkata Rape Case: Artists To Return State Awards In Support Of Protesting Doctors

Kolkata Rape Case: Two renowned theatre figures and a National Award-winning actor have decided to return their awards from the West Bengal government. decision comes in response to the R. Kar Medical College and Hospital rape and murder case. Veteran playwright Chandan Sen, theatre director Biplab Bandyopadhyay, and actor Sudipta Chakraborty are protesting remarks made by Trinamool Congress MLA Kanchan Mullick.

Protests Against Government Remarks

On September 3, 2024, Mr. Mullick questioned if government employees participating in protests would forgo their salaries and bonuses. He also asked if those who received government awards would return them. Many senior artists found these comments arrogant. Mr. Sen, an 80-year-old thespian with over five decades in theatre, expressed shock at his colleague's statements.

"I used to know Kanchan and thought he respected me as a senior in the theatre world," Mr. Sen told The Hindu. "I cannot believe what he said. I believe if he did not have political backing, he would not have the audacity to make such comments." He plans to return the 'Dinabandhu Mitra Puroshkar,' one of the most prestigious awards in theatre.

Solidarity with Resident Doctors

Mr. Bandopadhyay echoed similar sentiments, expressing solidarity with resident doctors' protests. "Deciding to return the Paschimbanga Natya Akademi 'Best Theatre Director' award seems like the most natural decision to me," he said. "All people have been affected by the heinous crime at R.G. Kar and I am just one of them."

Ms. Chakraborty announced on social media that she will return her 'Special Film Award' received on July 24, 2013, in solidarity with the R.G. Kar movement. "In the wake of the current status of our State and the related comments made on September 1 by one of our respected MLAs Mr. Kanchan Mullick, I hereby wish to return my certificate and the honour bestowed upon me and continue my demand for Justice." She will also return the ₹25,000 purse that came with the award.

Personal Connection to Protests

Mr. Sen highlighted his personal connection to this cause due to his father's long service as a doctor at a government hospital for over 40 years. "Awards are given with taxpayer's money," he said. "I believed I got the award because people liked my work. But I am not greedy." He has already contacted authorities about returning both the award replica and money.

The West Bengal Junior Doctor's Front also held a protest march demanding immediate resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal over this case on September 2, 2024.

Mr. Bandopadhyay was particularly pained by Mr. Mullick's comments, asking rhetorically if accepting an award means unconditional support for any government actions, even if wrong.

This series of events highlights growing discontent among artists and professionals against perceived governmental insensitivity towards serious issues like those at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital.