India’s medical professionals initiated a nationwide strike on Saturday in response to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a government hospital in West Bengal. The strike was organized by the Indian Medical Association, which represents the largest group of doctors in the country. It will result in the shutdown of all non-essential services at hospitals for 24 hours. This action has impacted thousands of patients throughout India, with protests led primarily by women demanding a safer working environment.
On August 9, the body of the 31-year-old trainee doctor was found in a seminar hall at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. A police volunteer associated with the hospital has been arrested, but the victim’s family claims that it was a gang rape and that more individuals were involved. An autopsy has confirmed that sexual assault occurred. Federal investigators have taken over the case amid accusations that state officials failed to properly handle the investigation.
On Wednesday night, thousands of women took to the streets across India, participating in “Reclaim The Night” marches, calling for justice for the victim. Some participants advocated for the death penalty for the offenders.
Medical workers are rallying for justice and assurances of safety for healthcare personnel within hospitals and medical facilities. Many have limited their work to emergency care, with plans for additional strikes throughout the weekend. Doctors emphasize that this incident highlights the risks faced by medical professionals, who often lack adequate safety measures in their workplaces. The Indian Medical Association seeks public backing in their demand for justice, describing the killing as a “crime of barbaric scale” stemming from inadequate safe spaces for women. They also call for stricter laws to protect healthcare workers by designating assaults on on-duty medical staff as non-bailable offenses.
Sexual violence against women remains a significant issue in India, with many incidents going unreported due to stigma and distrust in law enforcement. Women’s rights activists indicate that the situation is worse in rural regions, where victims may be shamed by their communities and families fear damage to their reputation. Despite this, the number of reported rape cases has risen, with the National Crime Records Bureau documenting 31,516 incidents in 2022 — a 20 percent increase from 2021.