India’s medical community has launched a nationwide strike in response to the brutal rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata, West Bengal. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), representing the country’s largest group of doctors, has called for the shutdown of all non-essential hospital services on Saturday, marking a significant escalation in their protest.
The IMA described the killing as a “barbaric crime” and highlighted the urgent need for safer environments for women in the country. They have called upon the public to support their “struggle for justice.” The association emphasized that emergency and casualty services would remain operational during the 24-hour strike.
R.V. Asokan, President of the IMA, expressed the frustration of the medical community, noting that doctors have long been protesting against violence, but this particular incident was “qualitatively different.” He stressed that if such a crime could occur in a prominent medical college in a major city, it underscored the widespread insecurity faced by doctors nationwide.
The strike follows protests and demands from doctors at some government hospitals who earlier announced the indefinite halt of elective procedures. The IMA has outlined several demands, including stronger legal protections for medical staff, enhanced security at hospitals, and the creation of safe rest areas within medical facilities.
The rape and murder of the 31-year-old female trainee doctor have shocked the nation. Her half-naked body, bearing severe injuries, was discovered in a seminar hall at R.G. Kar Medical College last week, where she had reportedly gone to rest during her shift. A hospital volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime, and the investigation has been transferred to India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following criticism over the lack of progress by local authorities.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and protests across India, with thousands of women in West Bengal participating in a “Reclaim the Night” march to demand safety and freedom from fear. While most protests have remained peaceful, violence erupted at the RG Kar Hospital, where the crime occurred, with a mob vandalizing its emergency ward. Police have arrested at least 25 individuals connected to the violence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, stating that “monstrous behavior against women should be severely and quickly punished.” The case has also ignited a political battle in West Bengal, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) of being involved in the attack. The TMC has denied the allegations, blaming “political outsiders” for inciting violence.
Protests have spread to other cities, including Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune, as the nation grapples with renewed calls for better protection for women. One demonstrator, Sumita Datta, reflected the sentiment of many, stating, “It feels like hope is being reignited” as thousands marched through Kolkata on Friday.
