Fearful and angry Indian doctors took to the streets nationwide to protest over the brutal attack on their colleague, also a young woman, who was murdered in Kolkata, West Bengal. The Indian Medical Association, the apraxia body of doctors in the country, declared that all-protesting services in none-emergency departments will be withdrawn on Saturday.
The IMA decried the brutal murder as a “barbaric crime highlighting the dire need of safe environments for the women folks” and urged national solidarity in their “quest for justice.” This act has enraged many citizens, and a mob also targeted the hospital where the incident occurred by damaging its premises. Emergency and casualty services have been clarified as functional during the 24-hour strike, mentioned the IMA.
R. V. Asokan, the president of the IMA, told the BBC that while there have been many strikes by doctors before, this time it is regarding another kind of incident. He said that if something like this could happen at a reputed public medical institution, the lives of the doctors will be at risk “everywhere.”
Government hospitals this week began indefinitely suspending elective procedures. “The IMA notably called for more stringent laws to protect medical personnel, enhanced security of hospitals, prepared safe resting areas and cast its demand for a detailed and professional investigation into the murder, prosecution of the culprits involved in the vandalism and adequate compensation to the bereaved family,” the group said.
The gang rape and murder of this 31-year-old trainee doctor have rocked the nation. Her body, found critically injured, half-naked in a seminar hall at R G Kar Medical College, was discovered after she reportedly went there to take rest during her shift. A hospital volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime.
Critical of slow progress, the case has been transferred from state police to the Central Bureau of Investigation; it also turned a spotlight, however, on other recent rape cases in the country, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenting, “there should be just one focus: justice for the victim, and best medical care for her health”.
This has also come at a time when political bickering has spiked regarding the case in West Bengal, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party holding the ruling Trinamool Congress Party complicit in the crime. These charges have been denied by the TMC, who in turn alleged setting the fire on the “political outsiders” interested in West Bengal politics.
In a tit-for-tat reaction, tens of thousands of women participated in the Reclaim the Night march in West Bengal demanding that they be given the “freedom to live without fear.” The march was largely non-violent, but some groups of men from their midst forcibly entered RG Kar Hospital and vandalized its emergency ward, leading to one of several clashes with the police. At least 25 persons have been arrested in connection with these incidents.
The protest actions have spread and violence erupted this week in major Indian cities, including Delhi, Hyderabad, Bombay, and Pune. “It feels like hope is being reignited,” said demonstrator Sumita Datta as thousands marched through Kolkata on Friday.
