India’s medical professionals initiated a nationwide strike on Saturday in response to the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a government hospital in West Bengal. The strike, organized by the Indian Medical Association, the country’s largest doctors’ group, aims to halt all non-essential medical services for 24 hours.
This action has led to a disruption of care for thousands of patients across India. The protests, which are predominantly led by female health workers, have been escalating, with demonstrators calling for a safer working environment for medical personnel.
The tragic incident occurred on August 9 when the 31-year-old trainee doctor’s body was found in a seminar hall at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Authorities have detained a police volunteer from the hospital as part of the investigation, though the victim’s family contends that a gang was involved in the crime. An autopsy has verified that the victim suffered sexual assault. Federal investigators are now examining the case, amid accusations that local officials mishandled the initial investigation.
On Wednesday night, numerous women across the nation took to the streets for “Reclaim The Night” marches, calling for justice for the deceased and for severe penalties for the offenders, including the death penalty.
Medical workers are demanding accountability for the violence while seeking better safety measures within healthcare facilities. Many have curtailed all services except emergencies, with further protests planned. They emphasize that the events underline the risk faced by healthcare professionals who often lack necessary safety protections in their workplaces.
The Indian Medical Association has appealed for public support in their “struggle for justice,” condemning the killing as a “crime of barbaric scale” due to the inadequacy of safe environments for women. The association is also urging stronger laws to protect medical staff from violence, including the classification of assaults on on-duty medics as non-bailable offenses.
Sexual violence against women is a significant issue in India. Many incidents go unreported due to societal stigma and mistrust in law enforcement. Women’s rights advocates emphasize that the situation is particularly dire in rural areas, where victims may face community shame and families fear reputational damage. Nevertheless, reported cases of rape have been rising, with police documenting 31,516 incidents in 2022—an increase of 20 percent from the previous year, according to the National Crime Records Bureau.