Doctors in India initiated a nationwide strike on Saturday as a result of the horrific rape and murder of one of their colleagues, which has reignited concerns about the prevalence of violence against women in the country.
The doctor, aged 31, was found dead on August 9 at a hospital in Kolkata, leading to widespread protests across various cities in India. Doctors, healthcare workers, and ordinary citizens have all come together to demand justice for the victim.
Protests in Kolkata included a candle-lit vigil and signs saying “Hands that heal shouldn’t bleed” and “Enough is enough.” In New Delhi, doctors rallied with a message of unity.
The victim was found in the hospital’s seminar hall, indicating she may have been seeking rest during a long shift. An autopsy confirmed sexual assault, with the victim’s parents suspecting she was gang-raped.
– ‘Struggle for justice’ –
Doctors in government hospitals across multiple states have suspended elective services indefinitely, while the Indian Medical Association (IMA) declared a 24-hour nationwide strike on Saturday to demand justice and protection for healthcare workers.
The IMA chief referred to the killing as “barbaric” and emphasized the need for better working conditions. Doctors are calling for the Central Protection Act to safeguard healthcare workers from violence.
The public has also joined the protests, with marches in various cities and a candlelight rally coinciding with India’s independence day celebrations.
Sexual violence against women remains a serious issue in India, with nearly 90 rapes reported on average per day in 2022. The brutal nature of the recent attack has drawn comparisons to the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, which sparked nationwide outrage.
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