Nationwide Protests Erupt in India Following Rape and Murder of Doctor, PM Modi Calls for Swift Justice
Thousands of women took to the streets in cities across India, demanding justice and safer conditions for women after the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor. The protests, which saw women holding candles and placards reading “Reclaim the Night,” highlighted the growing outrage over crimes against women.
The eastern city of Kolkata became a focal point for the protests, especially among medical professionals, as colleagues of the slain doctor joined the demonstrations. The tragedy has prompted widespread calls for improved safety measures for women in the workplace, particularly in government hospitals where many doctors feel overworked, underpaid, and vulnerable to violence.
In response to the escalating protests, many government hospitals across India suspended all services except for emergency care, as junior doctors staged sit-ins, demanding justice for their colleague and better working conditions.
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The 31-year-old doctor’s body was discovered last Friday, with authorities confirming that she had been raped and murdered. A police volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on its 78th Independence Day, expressing his deep concern over the incident. “As a society, we must confront the atrocities being committed against our mothers, daughters, and sisters. There is a palpable sense of outrage across the country, and I share in this anger,” Modi stated.
The incident has drawn parallels to the horrific 2012 New Delhi gang rape, where a young woman was brutally assaulted on a moving bus, leading to her death and sparking nationwide protests and demands for tougher laws.
Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt, who has a massive following on social media, also voiced her concerns, stating, “This horrific incident has once again reminded us that women disproportionately bear the weight of ensuring their own safety.”
The latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows that crimes against women in India increased by 4% in 2022, underscoring the urgent need for systemic change to protect women across the country.