Medical professionals in India initiated a nationwide strike on Saturday in response to the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a government hospital in West Bengal. The strike was organized by the Indian Medical Association, the largest association of doctors in the country, with non-essential services at hospitals being suspended for 24 hours.
This strike has had a significant impact on thousands of patients across India, as the protests, primarily led by women, have escalated over recent days in demand of a safer working environment for medical staff.
The victim, a 31-year-old trainee doctor, was found dead on August 9 in the seminar hall of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Authorities have detained a police volunteer affiliated with the hospital, but the victim’s family claims that her death was a result of gang rape involving multiple perpetrators. An autopsy confirmed evidence of sexual assault. As complaints emerged about the initial handling of the case, federal investigators have taken over the investigation.
In a show of solidarity, thousands of women across India participated in marches on Wednesday night, calling for justice for the victim during “Reclaim The Night” events. Some demonstrators demanded capital punishment for those responsible for the crime.
The protest has rallied thousands of medical workers across India, who are insisting on justice for the victim and safer environments for healthcare professionals. Many have limited their activities to emergency services and plan to continue strikes throughout the weekend. Doctors have underscored the increased risks faced by medical staff who work under inadequate safety measures in hospitals.
The Indian Medical Association is seeking public backing in their “struggle for justice” and characterized the killing as a “crime of barbaric scale,” highlighting the absence of safe spaces for women. Additionally, they are advocating for stronger protective laws for medical personnel, including stipulations that any assault on on-duty medics be treated as a serious offense without the possibility of bail.
Sexual violence against women remains a pervasive issue in India, with numerous cases going unreported due to societal stigma and mistrust in law enforcement. Women’s rights advocates underscore that the problem is particularly severe in rural regions, where community pressure often silences victims and creates concerns over social reputation. Despite the challenges, the recorded number of rape incidents has surged, with police noting 31,516 rape cases in 2022, reflecting a 20 percent increase from 2021, according to the National Crime Records Bureau.