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 largest organization of doctors in the country, called for a 24-hour shutdown of all non-essential services across hospitals nationwide.
This disruption has significantly impacted thousands of patients throughout India. Protests, primarily led by women, have gained momentum in recent days, with demonstrators advocating for a safer work environment.
The trainee doctor’s body, aged 31, was discovered on August 9 in a seminar hall at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, showing signs of violence. While a police volunteer at the hospital has been detained, the victim’s family asserts that a gang was involved and insists there were multiple perpetrators. An autopsy has confirmed sexual assault. Federal investigators have taken over the case amid accusations of mishandling by state officials.
On Wednesday night, thousands of women across the nation gathered for “Reclaim The Night” marches, calling for justice for the victim, with some demanding the death penalty for those responsible.
The strike has mobilized thousands of healthcare workers who are insisting on justice for the deceased and seeking assurances for the safety of medical staff in hospitals. Many health professionals have limited their services to emergency care, with additional strikes anticipated over the weekend. Doctors emphasize that this incident underscores the risks faced by medical personnel due to inadequate safety measures within healthcare facilities.
The Indian Medical Association has sought public support in its quest for justice and has labeled the killing a “crime of barbaric scale,” citing the absence of secure environments for women. They are advocating for stricter laws to protect medical personnel from violence, including making assaults on on-duty healthcare workers a non-bailable offense.
Sexual violence against women remains a pervasive issue in India, with numerous incidents going unreported due to societal stigma and a lack of trust in law enforcement. Women’s rights advocates highlight that the issue is especially serious in rural regions, where societal pressures can deter victims from seeking help. Nonetheless, the documented cases of rape have risen, with police recording 31,516 incidents in 2022—a 20 percent increase from the previous year, according to the National Crime Records Bureau.