India’s healthcare professionals initiated a nationwide strike on Saturday in response to the shocking rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a state-run hospital in West Bengal. The Indian Medical Association, the country’s largest doctors’ organization, organized the strike, which resulted in the suspension of all non-essential hospital services for 24 hours.
The strike has adversely affected thousands of patients nationwide, with protests, primarily led by women, escalating in recent days as they demand a safer work environment for medical staff.
The tragic incident occurred on August 9, when police discovered the body of the 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. A police volunteer from the hospital has been taken into custody regarding the case. However, the victim’s family claims it involved a gang rape and suggests that more individuals were involved, with an autopsy confirming evidence of sexual assault. The investigation is now under the purview of federal authorities due to accusations that state officers mishandled the case.
Protests unfolded nationwide on Wednesday night, with thousands of women taking to the streets demanding justice for the victim during “Reclaim The Night” marches. Many protestors have called for the death penalty for the offenders.
Medical workers across India are advocating for justice for the slain doctor and are insisting on enhanced safety measures for healthcare providers within medical institutions. Most are limiting their services to emergency care, with additional strikes anticipated over the weekend. Healthcare professionals argue that the incident underscores the precariousness faced by medics working in unsafe conditions throughout the country.
The Indian Medical Association has sought public support in their “struggle for justice,” branding the killing a “crime of barbaric scale” that reflects the absence of safe environments for women. They are also pressing for more stringent legal protections against violence, including making assaults on on-duty medical staff a non-bailable offense.
Sexual violence against women is a pervasive issue in India, where many incidents go unreported due to the stigma surrounding such crimes and a widespread distrust of law enforcement. Women’s rights activists highlight that the problem is particularly severe in rural areas, where community pressures may deter victims from seeking justice while families often worry about their social reputation.
Despite these challenges, the number of reported rape cases in India continues to rise, with police recording 31,516 incidents in 2022, representing a 20 percent increase from the previous year, according to the National Crime Records Bureau.