India’s medical professionals 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 Indian Medical Association, the country’s largest medical association, organized the 24-hour strike, shutting down all non-essential services in hospitals across the nation.
This work stoppage has impacted thousands of patients throughout India, with protests, primarily led by women, escalating in recent days as they demand a safer workplace.
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 eastern Kolkata. Authorities have detained a police volunteer connected to the case, but the victim’s family claims that a gang was involved and that more individuals are responsible. An autopsy has confirmed that she was sexually assaulted. The case is now under investigation by federal authorities due to allegations that state officials mishandled the initial inquiry.
On Wednesday night, thousands of women protested across the country, demanding justice during “Reclaim The Night” marches. Some participants called for the death penalty for the individuals responsible for the crime.
Medical workers are advocating for justice for the victim, as well as ensuring safety for hospital staff, including doctors and paramedics. Many have limited their services to emergency cases, with plans for additional strikes over the weekend.
The Indian Medical Association has highlighted the need for public support in their quest for justice and denounced the murder as indicative of the severe lack of safe environments for women in India. They are also calling for more stringent legal protections against violence toward medical professionals, including provisions to classify attacks on on-duty staff as non-bailable offenses.
Sexual violence against women is a pervasive issue in India, with many incidents remaining unreported due to stigma and a general distrust in law enforcement. Activists emphasize that the issue is particularly pronounced in rural regions, where societal pressures may deter victims from coming forward. Reports indicate that recorded rape cases in India are rising, with 31,516 incidents logged in 2022, a 20 percent increase from the previous year, as per the National Crime Records Bureau.