Kolkata: In response to the tragic rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata, mass protests have mobilized across India, with social activists and healthcare professionals leading calls for justice and enhanced security measures.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the nationwide outcry began after the body of the 31-year-old doctor was discovered on August 9 at a state teaching hospital in Kolkata. Initial claims by the hospital administration suggested suicide, but an autopsy later confirmed the brutal crime, sparking widespread anger and calls for action.
Under the banner “Reclaim the Night,” demonstrators in West Bengal, Delhi, Karnataka, Odisha, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and other regions are demanding swift justice and significant reforms to ensure the safety of healthcare workers. The case has been escalated to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Kolkata High Court, a move seen as a critical development in the pursuit of accountability.
In addition to justice for the deceased, protestors, led by the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA), are advocating for the implementation of the Central Protection Law for healthcare workers. This proposed legislation, which aims to safeguard medical professionals from violence, has been pending in Parliament since 2022.
The protest has also led to a nationwide suspension of elective medical services, underlining the medical community’s resolve to stand against violence and ensure a safer working environment for all healthcare providers.