On Monday, thousands of passionate protesters took to the streets in India, demanding justice for a doctor who was brutally raped and murdered. The tragic discovery of the 31-year-old doctor’s body at a hospital in Kolkata on August 9 ignited widespread protests and strikes, as healthcare workers across the country rallied against ongoing violence against women.
The shocking incident, which involved the doctor being found in a hospital seminar hall after a grueling 36-hour shift, led to a massive response from doctors and citizens alike. Medical professionals from government hospitals in various cities continued their strikes, disrupting non-essential services in a show of solidarity.
Bablu Mukherjee, a supporter of Kolkata’s Mohun Bagan soccer team, emphasized the gravity of the situation: “We’ve set aside our rivalries to unite for justice for the doctor and her family. This cause is bigger than any football club or political divide.”
The doctor’s parents, in their plea to the Kolkata High Court, have expressed their fear that their daughter was the victim of a gang rape, based on the autopsy results. In a rare display of unity, fans from the rival East Bengal club joined a midnight rally, chanting for justice despite heavy rain and police efforts to disperse the crowd.
“This is more than just a protest; it’s a call for humanity,” said 23-year-old student Sristi Haldar from Presidency University in Kolkata. “We are deeply upset. This is about ensuring the safety of all women.”
Doctors from the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the tragedy occurred, held a rally outside the facility on Monday. Shreya Shaw, a doctor at the hospital, declared, “We will not be silenced. Our protests will continue until justice is served.”
In New Delhi, where many medical procedures were halted, some doctors offered free consultations outside the health ministry, showing their commitment to the cause.
The Supreme Court of India has taken up the case, with a hearing scheduled in Kolkata’s High Court for Tuesday. Meanwhile, one man who worked at the hospital has been detained in connection with the case.
Protesters also saw a strong presence from lawyers, predominantly women, who marched in their legal robes, holding signs that read, “No mercy for rapists.” Additionally, doctors are calling for the enactment of the Central Protection Act, which aims to safeguard healthcare workers from violence.
The brutal nature of this attack has drawn comparisons to the infamous 2012 gang rape and murder of a young woman on a Delhi bus, stirring deep anger in a country where sexual violence remains a pervasive issue. In 2022 alone, India reported nearly 90 rapes daily among its 1.4 billion population.
Adding to the outrage, recent reports have revealed five arrests in northern Uttarakhand state for the alleged rape of a child at a bus station, further highlighting the urgent need for action.
