Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has requested West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to take immediate action on the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital.

New Delhi: Former Indian cricketer and two-time World Cup winner Harbhajan Singh has written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressing 'deep grief' over the delay in getting justice to a trainee doctor at RG Kar who was raped and murdered on August 9. The heinous crime led to nationwide protests for the safety of women and justice for the victim.

In a letter addressed to West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee and Governor CV Ananda Bose and citizens of India, Harbhajan called for 'justice and introspection' by the authorities. “This act of violence, which shocks the conscience of all of us, is not just a heinous crime against an individual, but a grave attack on the dignity and security of every woman in our society.

In a two-page letter shared by Harbhajan on his social media account, Harbhajan wrote, “This is a reflection of deep-rooted problems in our society and a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic change and action by the authorities. More than two weeks have passed since August 9 and no 'concrete action' has been taken by the entire country.

Deeply saddened by the delay in getting justice to the Kolkata rape and murder victim, an incident that shocks the conscience of all of us, I am writing to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mrs. @MamataOfficial G and Hon @Governor of Bengal I request them… pic.twitter.com/XU9SuYFhbY

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) 18 August 2024

“Their (doctors') protest is understood and I wholeheartedly support the medical community's fight for their cause of justice,” he said. “The medical community is already working under challenging conditions. How can we expect them to perform their duties with dedication when their own security is so seriously compromised by such incidents?” asked the Rajya Sabha MP.

Earlier, other Indian cricketers like Jasprit Bumrah, Sourav Ganguly, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammad Siraj, Shreyas Iyer and Washington Sundar also raised their voice for this. “Don't ask women to change their ways, change the environment. Every woman deserves a safe environment,” the Indian fast bowler wrote on his Instagram story on Independence Day.

However, neither India's captain Rohit Sharma nor former captain Virat Kohli have commented on the issue.