Indian junior doctors protest against the tragic death of a colleague

Thousands of Indian junior doctors continued their protest against the rape and murder of a colleague on Monday, significantly disrupting hospital operations. Almost a week earlier, they had launched a nationwide campaign calling for safer workplaces and speedy criminal proceedings.

Non-emergency care has been suspended following the August 9 murder of a 31-year-old medical student who, according to a police report, was raped and murdered in a Kolkata hospital. Women's rights activists point out that the incident underscores the persistence of sexual violence in India, despite stricter laws being enacted following the gang rape and murder on a moving bus in New Delhi in 2012.

The government has asked doctors to return to work and announced the formation of a committee to recommend measures to improve the safety of health workers. “Our indefinite work stoppage and sit-in will continue until our demands are met,” said Dr Aniket Mahata, a spokesman for the protesting junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Thousands of supporters, including the two biggest football clubs in the state of West Bengal, marched through Kolkata on Sunday in solidarity with the doctors, chanting “We want justice.” Assistant doctors' groups in states such as Odisha, New Delhi and Gujarat have also announced that they will continue their protests.

(With contributions from agencies.)