Indian doctors announced on Friday that they would escalate their nationwide protests and strikes following the rape and murder of a colleague, a brutal crime that has intensified outrage over the pervasive issue of violence against women.
The body of the 31-year-old doctor was discovered on August 9 at a state-run hospital in Kolkata, showing severe signs of violence, which has triggered widespread protests across the country.
“We are ramping up our protests to seek justice for our colleague,” stated Suvrankar Datta from the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital in New Delhi.
On Monday, medical professionals in government hospitals across several states halted elective services indefinitely in response. Multiple medical unions from both public and private sectors have supported the strike.
Thousands took to the streets of Kolkata overnight on Wednesday, with a candlelight vigil coinciding with the beginning of India’s Independence Day celebrations.
The Indian Medical Association has called for a nationwide withdrawal of services for 24 hours starting Saturday, leading to the suspension of non-essential and medical procedures at private hospitals.
Reports suggest that the murdered doctor was found in a seminar hall at the teaching hospital, where she may have gone for a brief rest during a long shift. An autopsy confirmed sexual assault, and the victim’s parents have filed a petition claiming their daughter was likely gang-raped, according to Indian broadcaster NDTV.
Police have detained a hospital staff member who helped patients navigate queues, but there are accusations that state government officials mishandled the case. Sexual violence against women is a significant issue in India, with nearly 90 rapes reported daily in the country of 1.4 billion.
The horrific nature of this case has drawn comparisons to the 2012 gang rape and murder of a young woman on a Delhi bus, which symbolized the country’s failure to address sexual violence. That case led to massive protests and prompted the government to impose harsher penalties for rapists, including the death penalty for repeat offenders. New sexual offences, such as stalking, were also introduced, and officials who fail to register rape complaints can now face jail time.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for prompt action against perpetrators of “monstrous” crimes, stating, “There is anger over the atrocities committed against our mothers and sisters. Crimes against women should be swiftly investigated, and monstrous behavior should be severely punished.”
Doctors are also pushing for the implementation of the Central Protection Act, aimed at safeguarding healthcare workers from violence.
