India’s medical professionals initiated a nationwide strike on Saturday in response to the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a publicly funded hospital in West Bengal. The Indian Medical Association, the country’s largest doctors’ organization, announced that all non-essential medical services would be suspended for 24 hours, impacting thousands of patients throughout India.
The protests, predominantly organized by women, have escalated in recent days, as demonstrators demand a safer working atmosphere for medical staff.
The 31-year-old trainee doctor’s body was found on August 9 in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. A police volunteer from the hospital has been apprehended in relation to the case. However, the victim’s family argues that multiple individuals were involved in a gang rape, which an autopsy has confirmed. Following accusations of mishandling by state officials, federal authorities have taken over the investigation.
On Wednesday night, numerous women across India took to the streets as part of “Reclaim The Night” marches, advocating for justice for the victim and calling for harsh penalties, including the death penalty, for the attackers.
Medical workers across the country are now insisting on justice for the deceased doctor and demanding enhanced safety measures for healthcare professionals within hospitals. Many have restricted services to emergency cases only and announced further protests planned for the weekend.
Doctors state that this incident underscores the risks faced by medical personnel who often lack adequate safety measures in Indian healthcare facilities. The Indian Medical Association has sought public backing in its call for justice, describing the act as a “crime of barbaric scale” resulting from insufficient safe spaces for women. They are also advocating for tougher laws designed to shield medical staff from violence, including making assaults on on-duty medics a non-bailable offense.
Sexual violence against women remains a significant issue in India, with many incidents going unreported due to societal stigma and a lack of trust in law enforcement. Activists assert that the situation is particularly serious in rural regions, where community pressures may deter victims from coming forward, fearing damage to their family’s reputation.
Despite the challenges, reported cases of rape have increased, with 31,516 incidents documented in 2022—a 20% rise compared to 2021, as per the National Crime Records Bureau.