What you should know: Indians protest against rape and murder of a doctor-student in Kolkata

NEW DELHI (AP) — India's medical workers began a nationwide strike on Saturday to protest the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a government hospital in the eastern state of West Bengal.

The Indian Medical Association, the country's largest doctors' association, called for the strike on Saturday. It announced that all non-essential hospital services across the country would be closed for 24 hours.

The suspension of work has affected thousands of patients across India. The protests – mostly led by women – have intensified in recent daysand demand a safer working environment.

Here's what you should know:

A prospective doctor was killed

On August 9, police discovered the blood-soaked body of the 31-year-old doctor in training in the seminar hall of the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in east Calcutta.

A police officer working at the hospital was arrested in connection with the crime, but the victim's family claims it was a gang rape and that several people were involved. An autopsy confirmed sexual abuse.

The case is currently being investigated by federal investigators after state government officials were accused of mishandling the investigation.

On Wednesday night, thousands of women across the country protested in the streets demanding justice for the victim while participating in “Reclaim The Night” marches. Some protesters called for the death penalty for the perpetrators.

Protesters want justice and security

Thousands of medical workers across India are demanding justice for the victims and a guarantee of safety for doctors and paramedics in hospitals and clinics. Many of them have stopped all but emergency treatment. More strikes of this kind are planned for the weekend.

Doctors say the attack highlights the vulnerability of medical professionals working without adequate security in hospitals and medical campuses across India.

The Indian Medical Association asked the public for support in its “fight for justice” and described the murder as “a crime of barbaric proportions due to the lack of safe places for women”.

The doctors are also calling for stricter laws to protect against violence. This includes making any attack on medical staff on duty a criminal offence and eliminating the possibility of bail.

India has a history of sexual violence against women

Sexual violence against women is a widespread problem in India.

Many cases of Crimes against women go unreported in India because of the stigma attached to sexual violence and a lack of trust in the police. According to women's rights activists, the problem is particularly acute in rural areas, where society sometimes shames victims of sexual assault and families worry about their social status.

Nevertheless, the number of registered rape cases in the country has increased. In 2022, according to the National Crime Records Bureau, the police recorded 31,516 rape reports – a 20% increase from 2021.

In 2012, a 23-year-old student was gang raped and murdered on a bus in New Delhi triggered massive protests across India. It prompted lawmakers to impose harsher punishments for such crimes and set up fast-track courts for rape cases. The government also introduced the death penalty for repeat offenders.

The Rape Act, amended in 2013, also criminalized stalking and voyeurism and lowered the age at which a person can be tried as an adult from 18 to 16.