Protests Erupt Over R G Kar Hospital Incident; Theatre Director Returns Award

Bengali theatre personality Biplab Bandyopadhyay returns his 'Best Theatre Director' award, protesting the state's handling of the rape-murder of a trainee doctor at R G Kar Hospital. Bandyopadhyay, joined by other theatre groups and Durga Puja committees, criticizes the state government's response to the August 9 incident.

Bengali theatre personality Biplab Bandyopadhyay announced on Tuesday that he is returning the state's 'Best Theatre Director' award in protest over the handling of the rape-murder incident at R G Kar Hospital.

Bandyopadhyay, in a statement, accused the state government and police of attempting to "hide facts" following the August 9 incident, wherein a woman doctor was allegedly raped and murdered.

Joining him in the protest, other theatre groups and six Durga Puja committees have also returned state grants and honorariums, highlighting broad dissatisfaction with the government's response. The matter is currently under investigation by the CBI, as ordered by the Calcutta High Court.

(With inputs from agencies.)