NEW DELHI: All hospital services in India, except emergency care, will remain shut on Saturday as doctors escalate their protest in reaction to the rape and murder of a colleague.
The strike, organized by the Indian Medical Association, caused suspension of all outpatient services and treatments at both government and private hospitals for 24 hours, marking a significant intensification of the protest that began earlier in the week.
Dr. Johnrose Jayalal, president of the association, explained that the widespread public outrage necessitated a more substantial strike, described as the largest in a decade.
He emphasized the need for the government to improve safety measures in hospitals, suggesting that they be designated as protection zones similar to airports and courts, given that 50% of doctors and 90% of nursing staff are women.
The immediate cause of the strike is the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor last week at RG Kar hospital in Kolkata. She was attacked in a seminar room where she had gone to rest during a long shift. An individual who worked informally at the hospital has been arrested in connection with the crime.
The strike and related protests have expanded beyond the specific case in Kolkata, reflecting broader concerns about the safety of doctors and the rising violence against them. There have also been recent reports of similar violence, such as the rape and murder of a young nurse in Uttarakhand.
The public’s reaction has been further fueled by perceived insensitivity from authorities. For example, RG Kar medical college’s principal, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, faced criticism for questioning why the victim was alone in the seminar room, before resigning and moving to another medical college.
Political figures have engaged in a blame game, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee defending her record on women’s safety amid accusations of negligence from rival parties.
The protests reflect a broader outcry over women’s safety across India, echoing sentiments from past incidents of sexual violence, such as the 2012 Delhi gang-rape case.
