Doctors across India are on strike following the rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata, with protests calling for better protection for women and justice for the victim. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), the largest group of doctors in the country, has shut down all non-essential hospital services for 24 hours, though emergency services will continue. They are demanding stronger laws to protect medical staff, better hospital security, and a thorough investigation into the crime, which shocked the nation.
The 31-year-old trainee doctor was found dead with severe injuries in a seminar hall at R G Kar Medical College, where she had gone to rest. A hospital volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime, and the case has been transferred to India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) due to concerns about the local police’s handling of the case.
Protests have spread across India, with demonstrations in cities like Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune. The protests, which also include calls for more safety for women and improvements in hospital security, have sometimes turned violent, including clashes between police and protestors at the hospital where the crime occurred.
Political tensions have also risen, with accusations between the ruling Trinamool Congress Party and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party regarding the incident. Despite these tensions, many are hopeful that the protests will lead to meaningful changes.
For more on this, see BBC’s coverage.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c89wgzkdw1vo