Doctors across India strike to protest the rape and murder of a trainee doctor
Thousands of doctors across India have gone on strike to demand better protection for health workers following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in West Bengal. The resident doctor’s body, found last Friday with multiple injuries and signs of sexual assault in a seminar hall at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, has led to one suspect’s arrest.
Medical associations nationwide have urged doctors at government hospitals to halt all elective services indefinitely, calling for a speedy court process and the establishment of a protective committee for health workers. Dr. Sarvesh Pandey, general secretary of the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), reported that around 300,000 doctors have joined the protest, with more expected.
Protests include doctors in Kolkata and Delhi holding signs such as “Save our doctors, save our future,” and a candlelight vigil in Hyderabad. Many doctors have highlighted the violence and threats they face from patients and their families. A 2015 survey by the Indian Medical Association found that 75% of doctors in India had experienced some form of violence.
In a letter to the health minister, the association called for an inquiry into doctors’ working conditions and an impartial investigation into the murder. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock at the incident and supported calls for a fast-tracked investigation.
India has struggled with high rates of violence against women, with 31,516 rape cases recorded in 2022 alone, averaging 86 cases per day. The 2012 gang-rape of a medical student in Delhi, which sparked international outrage and led to legal reforms, remains a stark reminder of the ongoing issue. Despite reforms to broaden the definition of rape and impose stricter punishments, many believe the government has yet to take sufficient action to protect women and hold attackers accountable.
About The Author
