Kolkata/IBNS: Former Indian cricket captain and ex-BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly faced a massive backlash on social media after he called the rape and murder of 31-year-old post graduate medical student at Kolkatas major state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital a stray incident while condemning the crime that has sent shockwaves across the country and ignited public fury.
In response to the incident, Ganguly last Sunday said, Its very unfortunate. There should be strict action against it. Its terrible. I dont think it is appropriate to judge safety issues based on a stray incident. It is just one of the incidents. Such accidents happen in all parts of the world but this has to be strictly dealt with.
Backlash
Actress Sreelekha Mitra, known for her outspokenness and support to the Left, slammed Sourav Ganguly for calling the incident a stray one.
I am really sad Sourav that you let down the same people who put you on a pedestal and called you Maharaj for your cricket and the popularity of your Dadagiri (TV show). And you are calling this a stray incident?, said Mitra.
She said people have been exposed and they should be brought down for what they are.
It was just a stray incident.
~ says Sourav Ganguly about #KolkataDoctor gangrape and murder.
I used to be a huge fan of this man. pic.twitter.com/w8N9zhrqSb
Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) August 17, 2024
Clarification
Facing backlash, Ganguly at a separate event on Saturday reiterated that the RG Kar incident is terrible and strict punishment should be meted out.
The former skipper said, I dont know how it was construed and interpreted. It was a terrible thing. I want strict punishment for the culprits so that people dont think of committing such crimes ever again. Punishment has to be very severe.
Commenting on the strike by doctors in hospitals, Ganguly said, Protest and all is fine but people need medical services too. Doctor community is very important for people on an emergency basis.
