Indian doctors launched a nationwide strike on Saturday, intensifying protests in response to the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old female doctor in Kolkata. The tragedy has ignited widespread outrage, highlighting the persistent issue of violence against women in the country.
The victim’s bloodied body was discovered on August 9 at a state-run hospital in Kolkata, leading to an outcry not only among healthcare workers but also across the general public.
The doctor was found in the hospital’s seminar hall, suggesting she had gone there to rest during a grueling 36-hour shift. An autopsy confirmed she had been sexually assaulted, and her parents suspect their daughter was gang raped.
The shocking incident has fueled protests in multiple cities, with doctors and healthcare workers taking the lead. In Kolkata, thousands participated in a candle-lit vigil that stretched into the early hours of Saturday, while similar rallies occurred in New Delhi and other parts of the country. Protesters carried signs bearing messages like “Hands that heal shouldn’t bleed” and “Enough is enough,” reflecting the collective frustration and anger.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) escalated the protests by announcing a 24-hour “nationwide withdrawal of services” on Saturday, halting all non-essential medical procedures. This move came after doctors in several states had already suspended elective services indefinitely earlier in the week. The IMA condemned the killing as “barbaric” and called for urgent reforms to improve the working and living conditions of resident doctors, emphasizing the need for safe spaces to rest during long shifts.
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In addition to demanding justice for their slain colleague, doctors are calling for the implementation of the Central Protection Act, a proposed bill aimed at protecting healthcare workers from violence. The broader public has also joined the protests, with marches and vigils held in several cities, including a midnight candlelight rally in Kolkata that coincided with India’s Independence Day celebrations.
The horrific nature of this crime has drawn comparisons to the infamous 2012 gang rape and murder of a young woman on a Delhi bus, a case that became a symbol of India’s struggles to address sexual violence against women. Despite numerous reforms and increased awareness since then, sexual violence remains a pervasive problem in India, with nearly 90 rapes reported daily in 2022.
The nationwide strike by doctors serves as a powerful statement, not only demanding justice for the victim but also calling for systemic changes to ensure the safety and dignity of all women in the country.
