Indian Doctors Strike Nationwide to Protest Brutal Rape and Murder of Kolkata Doctor
People wait for their turn at a government hospital in Hyderabad on August 17 during a nationwide doctors’ strike against the rape and murder of their colleague in India’s West Bengal state. — AFP
Hospitals and clinics across India halted non-emergency services on Saturday as medical professionals launched a 24-hour strike in protest against the brutal rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata.
Over one million doctors joined the strike, severely disrupting medical services across India. Hospitals stated that faculty staff from medical colleges were deployed to handle emergency cases.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) confirmed that the strike, which began at 6 am, suspended elective procedures and outpatient consultations. The protest was triggered by the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor inside the RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, drawing parallels to the infamous 2012 Delhi gang rape.
A strong police presence was noted outside the RG Kar Medical College on Saturday, with hospital premises largely deserted, according to ANI news agency. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee supported the protests, calling for a fast-tracked investigation and severe punishment for the perpetrators.
Across cities like Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, and Chennai, hospitals and clinics joined the strike, marking one of the largest healthcare shutdowns in recent memory. In Odisha, senior doctors struggled to manage patient queues as resident doctors participated fully in the strike.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is investigating the crime, has summoned several medical students from the RG Kar College for questioning. The principal of the hospital was also questioned on Friday.
Despite India’s government introducing tougher laws following the 2012 Delhi gang rape, activists argue that little has changed regarding violence against women. The IMA has called for further legal measures to protect healthcare workers and for swift justice in the Kolkata case.
“Women constitute the majority in our profession, and we have repeatedly requested safety measures for them,” IMA President RV Asokan stated. Senior lawyer Shobha Gupta emphasized the need for harsher punishments and their effective execution to deter such crimes.