Protests have escalated across India following the brutal rape and murder of a female trainee doctor in West Bengal, sparking widespread outrage. A mob vandalized the hospital where the tragic incident occurred, coinciding with the “Reclaim the Night” march in Kolkata aimed at highlighting violence against women.
In addition to Kolkata, significant protests erupted in major cities including Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), the country’s foremost doctors’ organization, has declared a nationwide strike of non-emergency services scheduled for Saturday.
Various doctor associations and political groups in West Bengal are planning marches in solidarity throughout the weekend. During the Reclaim the Night event, tens of thousands of women rallied to demand the right to live freely and without fear. Although protests remained largely peaceful, clashes did occur when a group of unidentified men entered RG Kar Hospital, the scene of the crime, causing significant damage to medical equipment and injuring hospital staff.
The Kolkata police have made 19 arrests related to the vandalism incident. In response to the attack, the IMA denounced the violence and announced a 24-hour withdrawal of non-emergency services starting Saturday morning, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced safety measures for medical professionals.
The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (Forda) has also resumed its strike after previously suspending it based on assurances from federal authorities regarding the implementation of laws to protect doctors.
The heinous crime has ignited a political controversy in West Bengal, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) blaming the ruling Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) for fostering an environment of violence. The TMC has countered these allegations, attributing the unrest to “political outsiders” inciting chaos.
The horrific discovery of the trainee doctor’s body, bearing numerous injuries, has sent shockwaves across the nation. She was found in a seminar hall after going missing, while a hospital volunteer has been arrested in connection with her death. Subsequent incidents of sexual violence in India have raised further alarm, including the alleged rape and murder of a nurse in Uttarakhand and a gang-rape case involving a six-year-old girl in Bihar, highlighting an ongoing crisis of safety for women in the country.
