India Doctors Strike After Trainee's Murder

A nationwide doctors' strike has erupted across India following the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal. The incident has sparked outrage and demands for enhanced security measures for healthcare workers.

Police had found the victim's body in a seminar hall of the R.G. Kar Medical College after she was sexually assaulted and murdered the night before, local media reported.

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) announced a halt to all elective medical services nationwide, affecting hospitals in major cities like Delhi and Mumbai. This action aims to push for actionable measures to improve safety in healthcare settings.

The strike calls for increased security measures, including more CCTV cameras and stricter enforcement of laws protecting healthcare workers.

The tragedy in Kolkata has reignited discussions about violence against women and healthcare professionals in India. National Crime Records Bureau statistics show that nearly 90 rapes are reported daily across the country, while approximately 75% of doctors have experienced some form of workplace violence.

Police have detained Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer at the hospital, as the alleged attacker. The investigation is exploring how someone with access could commit such a crime within the medical environment.

This incident adds to a history of violence against women in India, recalling the 2012 gang rape and murder of Jyoti Singh, which led to widespread protests and political upheaval.

The medical community's demands include justice for their colleague, protection against police brutality for protesters, swift legal action against perpetrators, and firm commitments to ensure healthcare professionals' safety. They are calling for an expert committee to establish comprehensive security measures.