Kolkata/New Delhi: Several junior doctors in India remained off work on Sunday, demanding swift justice for a colleague who was tragically raped and murdered, despite the conclusion of a 24-hour strike organized by the country’s largest doctors’ association.
The protest began following the death of a 31-year-old postgraduate student of chest medicine, who was killed in the early hours of August 9 in Kolkata. The incident, occurring at the British-era R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, has sparked nationwide demonstrations, including candlelight marches and refusals to see non-emergency patients.
Women activists argue that the incident underscores ongoing issues of violence against women in India, despite stronger laws introduced after the 2012 gang-rape and murder of a student in Delhi. The victim’s father, who cannot be named under Indian law, expressed gratitude for the support from protesting doctors, saying, “My daughter is gone but millions of sons and daughters are now with me. This has given me a lot of strength and I feel we will gain something out of it.”
Following the 2012 attack, India implemented significant changes to its criminal justice system, including harsher penalties. However, activists believe these measures have been insufficient in deterring violence against women.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), which ended its strike at 6 a.m. (0030 GMT) on Sunday, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance security measures for hospital staff, citing that 60% of India’s doctors are women. The IMA requested that security protocols at hospitals be strengthened to match those at airports.
In Gujarat, Modi’s home state, over 6,000 trainee doctors in government hospitals continued their protest, avoiding non-emergency services for a third consecutive day. Private institutions have resumed normal operations. Dr. Dhaval Gameti, president of the Junior Doctors’ Association at B.J. Medical College in Ahmedabad, stated, “We have unanimously decided to continue our protest to press for our demands. In the interest of patients, we are providing emergency medical services but not participating in outpatient or routine ward work.”
Also Read | Legendary French Actor Alain Delon Passes Away at 88
The government has called for doctors to return to duty amid rising cases of dengue and malaria while forming a committee to explore measures for improving the protection of healthcare professionals. Although most doctors have resumed their regular duties, the IMA warned that future actions could include halting emergency services if demands for better protection are not met.
Dr. Madan Mohan Paliwal, the IMA head in Uttar Pradesh, noted, “The doctors are back to their routine. The next course of action will be decided if the government does not take any strict steps to protect doctors… and this time we could stop emergency services too.”
Also Read | MCG to Host 150th Anniversary Test Match Between Australia and England in 2027
The All India Residents and Junior Doctors’ Joint Action Forum announced a continued “nationwide cease-work”, setting a 72-hour deadline for authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and make arrests. Dr. Prabhas Ranjan Tripathy of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Bhubaneswar confirmed that junior doctors and interns had not resumed their duties, adding, “The demonstrations are there today too. There is a lot of pressure on others because manpower is reduced.”
R.G. Kar hospital has been the center of ongoing agitation, with police enforcing a ban on gatherings of five or more people around the hospital for a week starting Sunday. The ban aims to prevent disturbances and maintain public order, according to Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal.
