NEW DELHI: Junior doctors in India’s state of West Bengal vowed on Tuesday to continue their protest over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor unless their demands were met, flouting a Supreme Court deadline.
Hundreds of doctors are calling for enhanced security at hospitals and justice for the woman, who was found dead on August 9 in a classroom at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front stated they would “consider” the court’s order only if their demands are met by the deadline. “Otherwise, we will interpret it as the government’s unwillingness to resolve the deadlock,” the group, representing about 7,000 physicians in the state, said in a statement. “In that case, we will hold the government accountable for the situation across the state.”
Doctors Face Violence in India
Their demands include improved safety measures such as adequate security staff, CCTV cameras, better patient services in government hospitals, and the removal of the city’s police chief. “Since the incident, we haven’t seen a single CCTV camera installed,” said Dr. Shubhendu Malik, a spokesperson for the junior doctors at RG Kar hospital. “There is no rest room or separate toilets for men and women.”
Brutal Gang Rape and Murder in New Delhi
On Monday, the Supreme Court, addressing the matter following widespread outrage, gave the doctors until the next day to resume work or face “adverse action.” The incident has sparked protests worldwide, with thousands of Indians demonstrating in 25 countries, including the United States and Japan, demanding justice for the victim.
Rights activists argue that the attack highlights the persistent issue of sexual violence against women in India, despite tougher laws enacted after the brutal gang rape and murder in New Delhi. A police volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime, and the former principal of the college faces arrest on corruption charges.
