The death of a 10-year-old rape victim in Bihar, reportedly due to a delay in medical treatment, has led to widespread outrage across India. Following her tragic demise, criticism has been directed at the state government for alleged negligence, while a deeper examination into the conditions of medical facilities in Bihar is underway.
Nationwide Outcry Follows Death of 10-Year-Old Rape Victim During Treatment Delay
Nationwide Outcry Follows Death of 10-Year-Old Rape Victim During Treatment Delay
A tragic incident in Bihar ignites public anger and political accusations as a 10-year-old rape victim dies after alleged treatment delays in a government hospital.
The tragic death of a 10-year-old rape victim in Bihar has incited widespread outrage and prompted fierce political debate in India. The girl passed away on Sunday morning after reportedly being delayed in receiving medical treatment at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). Her uncle claims that she waited for nearly four hours in an ambulance before being admitted to the facility, a claim that the hospital authorities have vehemently denied, branding it as "baseless."
The case, which has captured national headlines, led opposition leaders to accuse the ruling Bihar government—comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal United (JD-U)—of gross mismanagement. Despite these allegations, the government has asserted that it did not exercise negligence in this matter.
Hailing from the Dalit community, the girl’s death shines a harsh light on the treatment of marginalized groups in India, who often face discrimination despite existing protective laws. The National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Women have condemned the incident and are calling for investigations into the hospital's actions.
The girl had been raped on May 26 by an alleged assailant living near her aunt's home in Muzaffarpur. After she went missing while playing, her family found her injured with multiple knife wounds. She was first taken to a nearby hospital before being transferred to the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH), where she underwent preliminary treatment. According to hospital superintendent Kumari Vibha, the girl was stable but required complex surgery that led to her referral to PMCH.
As the girl's uncle reported complications and delays at the PMCH, hospital representatives insisted that the child had been moved through the appropriate hospital protocols. Officials explained that the procedure involved transitioning her to different departments based on her injuries.
The incident escalated with opposition protests demanding accountability for the girl's prolonged wait outside the hospital. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi labeled the situation as "extremely shameful," demanding stringent actions against any negligent personnel involved. The Rashtriya Janata Dal echoed similar sentiments concerning the inefficiencies within the healthcare infrastructure.
While leaders from the ruling coalition expressed condolences for the child's tragic fate, they also attempted to deflect blame, emphasizing the limitations and challenges facing medical institutions. BJP spokesperson Anamika Singh Patel offered that securing hospital admission can be a lengthy endeavor—dismissing claims of systemic failure as exaggerated.
In the wake of this heart-wrenching case, the spotlight now falls on Bihar’s healthcare system, with elections looming on the horizon. Recent reports have revealed a concerning state of decay in medical facilities, citing only half of the hospital ventilators as operational and highlighting a dismal doctor-to-patient ratio, especially in rural locales.
As the nation grapples with this tragedy, the long-standing issues of sexual violence, healthcare inadequacies, and social inequality remain painfully apparent.
