Indian Doctors Launch National Strike Over Rape and Murder of Female Doctor in Kolkata

Doctors across India have launched a national strike in response to the brutal rape and murder of a female colleague in Kolkata, West Bengal.

The strike, led by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), began on Saturday and has seen the suspension of all non-essential hospital services nationwide.

The IMA, the largest organisation of doctors in India, described the killing as a “crime of barbaric scale due to the lack of safe spaces for women” and urged the public to support their “struggle for justice.” In a statement, the IMA confirmed that emergency and casualty services would continue to operate, while the strike would last for 24 hours.

This escalation comes amid growing protests demanding better protection for women following the attack. Tensions have intensified, especially after a mob vandalised the hospital where the crime occurred. The IMA’s demands include stronger legal protections for medical staff, increased hospital security, and the creation of safe spaces for rest.

The case has sparked outrage across India. The 31-year-old trainee doctor’s half-naked body, bearing severe injuries, was discovered in a seminar hall at R G Kar Medical College last week. A volunteer at the hospital has been arrested in connection with the crime, and the investigation has now been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following criticism of the initial handling by local police.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, stating that “monstrous behaviour against women should be severely and quickly punished.” Meanwhile, the incident has fuelled a political blame game in West Bengal, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the governing Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) of involvement in the attack, a claim the TMC denies.

The woman’s death has sparked nationwide protests, including the Reclaim the Night march in West Bengal, where tens of thousands of women demanded “independence to live in freedom and without fear.” Though the protests have been largely peaceful, clashes erupted when a group of unidentified men ransacked the emergency ward at R G Kar Hospital, leading to the arrest of at least 25 people.

Protests have also spread to other major Indian cities, including Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune. “It feels like hope is being reignited,” said Sumita Datta, a demonstrator in Kolkata, as thousands marched through the city on Friday.

The IMA has also called for a “meticulous and professional investigation” into the killing and the prosecution of those involved in the hospital vandalism. Additionally, they are demanding compensation for the victim’s family and improvements in hospital security nationwide.

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