Thousands of doctors across India have gone on strike, demanding improved protection for health workers following the rape and murder of a trainee medic in West Bengal.
The body of the young resident doctor was discovered last Friday, bearing multiple injuries and evidence of sexual assault, in a seminar hall at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, according to local police.
On Monday, medical associations from various states called for doctors in government hospitals to suspend all elective services indefinitely.
“Approximately 300,000 doctors nationwide have joined the protest, and we anticipate more will join tomorrow,”
Protest images from Kolkata and Delhi depicted doctors holding signs: “Save our doctors, save our future.” In Hyderabad, southern India, doctors gathered for a candlelight vigil.
Many participants also emphasized the rising incidents of violence against health workers and threats of abuse from angry patients or their families. A 2015 survey by the Indian Medical Association found that 75% of Indian doctors had faced some form of violence, according to local media reports at the time.
In a letter to the health minister shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, the association stated, “This tragic murder is not an isolated incident and won’t be the last if corrective measures aren’t taken.” They also called for an inquiry into the working conditions of doctors and an impartial investigation into the brutal murder.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her shock at the killing of the trainee doctor in the hospital and supported the protesters’ demands for the case to be expedited through the courts.
India has long struggled with high rates of violence against women, with several high-profile rape cases bringing global attention to the issue.
According to data from India’s National Crime Records Bureau, there were 31,516 reported rape cases in 2022, averaging 86 cases per day.
Experts caution that these figures represent only a fraction of the actual number of incidents in a country where patriarchal norms, shame, and stigma often prevent rape victims and their families from coming forward.
One of the most infamous cases in recent memory was the 2012 gang rape of a medical student in New Delhi. After being brutally attacked, tortured, and left for dead on a public bus, her case ignited nationwide protests and international outrage.
The public pressure led to significant legal reforms in 2013, with amendments broadening the definition of rape and introducing harsher punishments for crimes including sexual assault, voyeurism, and stalking.
However, despite these reforms, rape remains pervasive, with victims and advocates claiming that the government has not done enough to protect women or hold perpetrators accountable.
As reported in Indian News.
Rape and Murder of Medic Sparks Nationwide Doctors’ Strike Across India.
Nearly 300,000 resident doctors in India’s government hospitals have been on strike since Monday following the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata, West Bengal. As a result, elective and non-emergency medical procedures have been halted across the country.
A suspect has since been arrested. Alongside the doctors’ strike, women’s rights activists have also mobilized, calling for safer conditions for women. In West Bengal, thousands of women are set to participate in a “Reclaim the Night” march at 11:55 p.m. on Wednesday, coinciding with the start of India’s Independence Day on August 15, according to The Hindustan Times.
On Wednesday, images showed female doctors protesting outside Government General Hospital in Vijayawada and Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad, holding signs demanding workplace safety. Messages such as “We demand safety and security in our workplace” and “Hands that heal should not bleed” could be seen prominently displayed.
Dr. Arjun Dasgupta, a senior ENT consultant at CMRI Hospital, a private facility in Kolkata, canceled his clinic and elective surgeries to stand in solidarity with the protesting junior doctors. The incident deeply affected him. He added that government hospitals frequently lack basic safety measures, such as on-call rooms with locking doors. “We are seeing an alarming rise in violence against doctors, especially women, and nothing is being done to address it.”
In response to the tragedy, FORDA is urging the government to pass the Central Protection Act for Doctors, which would create a standardized definition of violence against healthcare workers and establish clear penalties for offenders. They also demand a committee be formed to expedite the law’s ratification and a transparent investigation into the crime.
On Tuesday, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) announced its participation in the strike. It happened in Kolkata today, but it could happen anywhere tomorrow,” FAIMA said in a statement on X. They are also demanding the suspension of the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and echoed FORDA’s call for a Central Protection Act.
While 25 out of India’s 28 states currently have laws protecting healthcare workers from violence, the Indian Medical Association notes that these laws are largely ineffective. Dr. Dasgupta emphasized that a central law passed by the national government would be more likely to have an impact. “The problem is the lack of awareness. Many police officers are unaware these laws even exist,” he said. “A central law with more visibility could help ensure enforcement.”
A 2015 survey by the Indian Medical Association found that 75% of doctors in India had experienced some form of violence on the job. Dr. Dasgupta pointed out that doctors are often vulnerable due to the life-or-death situations they face, which can provoke anger from patients’ families, particularly in poorer, rural areas where education levels are lower and distrust in the medical profession runs high.
