Protests over tragic death of doctor from Calcutta

The brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata sparked widespread outrage and triggered protests and demands for justice. On August 19, 2024, medical professionals across India announced plans for the largest shutdown of hospital services in recent history, rejecting business as usual and demanding safer conditions for health workers.

The tragic incident resulted in the death of a 31-year-old doctor whose body was discovered in her office. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) reacted immediately. The IMA ordered a 24-hour nationwide closure of all hospital services, except for emergencies, from Saturday morning.

“Doctors, especially women, are vulnerable to violence due to the nature of their profession. It is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure the safety of doctors in hospitals and on campus,” the IMA said on social media.

Political parties also joined the fray and organised protests and rallies across Kolkata to express their grief and anger over the incident. Many celebrities and public figures also spoke out and demanded stricter punishments for crimes against women.

Regional police arrested a hospital aide, Sanjoy Roy, suspected of being linked to the crime, which made headlines and attracted national media attention. Amid the chaos that followed, doctors expressed concern for their safety and the precarious situation they face on a daily basis.

The protests initially took place on the medical school campuses but quickly escalated. On Friday, demonstrators filled the streets demanding accountability and justice for their deceased colleague.

In particular, residents from various hospitals organized candlelight vigils to remember their deceased colleagues and marched to raise awareness of their plight. A vice president of the residents' union noted, “The march symbolized our solidarity; we need to raise awareness of this urgent matter.”

Protesters shouted slogans and held up placards criticizing the inaction. They attracted attention, and the messages stressed the need for government intervention to protect healthcare workers. The placards read, “When the white coat turns red, society turns black,” highlighting the deep frustration among the protesters.

After eight days of protest, the doctors decided to continue their strike until concrete legal action is taken to protect their rights and bring justice. Dr Dhruv Chauhan, who was involved in the protests, alleged that the hospital management threatened the staff to return to work, sparking heated debates on freedom of expression and the rights of health workers.

“Does this mean we don’t even have the freedom to exercise our right to expression and protest?” he asked, pointing to the lack of adequate protection for health workers.

Despite the turmoil, emergency services, including intensive care units and emergency surgeries, remained operational. Essential procedures continued, although elective surgeries and outpatient treatments were severely impacted.

Eminent Padma award-winning doctors issued urgent appeals to the government to undertake immediate reforms and take action. They expressed horror at the incident, criticised the increasing violence against healthcare workers and urged lawmakers to strengthen protection.

In addition to the actions taken by the health community, the Ministry of Health also took steps and announced the formation of a committee to study measures to ensure the safety of medical personnel across the country. The ministry urged health care providers to maintain their services to support the population, especially during the worrying increase in diseases such as dengue.

“Eight days later, we are still waiting for the government to take action,” said one junior doctor, citing growing frustration at the slow response to their complaints. Every day, they continue to fight for their rights and prevent future tragedies.

This urgency was also shared by the victim's parents, who shared their heartbreaking experiences during their daughter's tragic events. They called on citizens to rally behind their cause and vowed to fight tirelessly for justice until all those responsible are brought to justice.

The parents expressed their dissatisfaction to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of not taking their concerns into account and of trying to suppress protests. “She said the perpetrators would be arrested, but so far only one person has been arrested. I believe there are more people involved in the matter within the institution,” the mother complained.

Their poignant comments underscored the sense of betrayal and expressed hope: “We just hope this doesn’t happen to any other mother.” Their grief turned to resolve as they emphasized their determination to fight tirelessly for justice, even in the face of the power of state politics.

The Calcutta police had initially suspected that the doctor might have committed suicide, but her mother firmly refuted this claim and demanded fairness and clarity. “Just by looking at her, it was clear that she had been murdered,” her mother explained.

The parents not only expressed their distrust of the local authorities, but also hoped that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) would intervene. “The CBI is trying – maybe they can find out the truth,” her father remarked, reiterating their frustration with the local police investigation.

Adding to the complexity of the case, on August 20, the Supreme Court took note of the huge public outcry and launched its own investigation into the circumstances of the death. The case came to public attention when Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with the court's judicial team, were preparing to discuss key aspects of the case.

At the same time, outrage over this tragic fate also resonated with the broader societal debate about women's safety, the need for systemic change and the importance of accountability, especially in healthcare. The voice of the medical community continued to gain prominence, raising awareness about ensuring safety not only for doctors but for all women.

The urgency of action was clearly felt during the protest marches, as doctors continued to struggle with uncertainty and fear about their professional environment. The protests not only expressed outrage over this incident, but also sparked broader discussions about combating violence against women in all sectors of society.

With the increasing energy coming from the protests, many hoped the attention would lead to meaningful changes that would make workplaces safer. Their resolve was evidently unwavering as they pushed for both justice and comprehensive policy changes to protect those working on the front lines of healthcare.

Protests over tragic death of doctor from Calcutta

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Protests over tragic death of doctor from Calcutta

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