Nationwide Protests Erupt Over Rape and Murder of Trainee Doctor; Medical Services Disrupted

On Friday, a clash occurred between police and supporters of the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) [SUCI (C)] in Hazra as the group protested a 12-hour statewide general strike. This strike was in response to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. SUCI (C) members were detained and later arrested at Hazra Intersection, and were subsequently taken to Lalbazar Police Station in Kolkata.

In reaction to the tragedy, medical professionals and organizations across the country have staged various protests. In Rajasthan, the resident doctors of Sawai Man Singh Hospital (SMS) Medical College declared a complete shutdown, affecting emergency and routine services. They planned a rally from Dhanvantari OPD to Statue Circle in Jaipur, and doctors have been boycotting work for the past few days.

In Patna, doctors at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Science are also on strike, demanding that emergency services remain closed until justice is served. They plan to stage a nationwide march, emphasizing that the main accused remains at large and calling for the implementation of the Central Protection Act.

At AIIMS Delhi, Dr. Kumar Kartikay stated that medical professionals will continue their strike until they receive written assurance for the implementation of the Central Protection Act. They expect a large turnout of 3,000 to 5,000 people for a protest at Nirman Bhawan.

Similarly, junior doctors and medical students at AIIMS Mangalagiri in Andhra Pradesh have protested and performed a street play to denounce the incident. Dr. Sreeja from AIIMS Mangalagiri highlighted the severity of the crime, calling for a transparent CBI investigation, adequate compensation for the victim’s family, and immediate implementation of the Central Protection Act for all healthcare workers.

The horrific incident at RG Kar Medical College on August 9, where a postgraduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered while on duty, has sparked widespread strikes and protests among the medical community nationwide.