Jammu: A significant protest led by hundreds of resident doctors erupted in Jammu as medical professionals halted their regular duties to march through city streets, calling for justice following the brutal rape and murder of a young female doctor in Kolkata.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the appalling incident has deeply impacted the medical community throughout India and occupied Jammu and Kashmir, prompting widespread calls for increased safety measures and harsher penalties for such violent crimes. The demonstration, organized by the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA), saw participants from associated hospitals of the government medical college wearing black armbands and carrying placards with messages such as “We stand in solidarity with the victim,” and “No mercy for rapists.”

While the protest disrupted regular hospital operations, emergency services remained functional. The participating doctors expressed profound concerns over their safety, criticizing inadequate security measures at healthcare facilities, particularly during night shifts.

A female doctor participating in the protest mentioned, “We are not just demanding justice for our colleague, but also seeking assurance of our own safety. We spend more time in hospitals than at our homes, and it is the government’s duty to ensure our security.” Echoing her sentiments, Dr. Anil Sharma called for severe punishment for the perpetrators, including the possibility of the death penalty, highlighting the government’s responsibility to protect healthcare workers.

The protest underscores the growing unease among doctors in India regarding their safety on the job.