Indian doctors in Kolkata have resumed a strike in protest against the rape and murder of a 31-year-old colleague in a state-run hospital in August. Their demands for increased hospital safety measures, such as improved lighting and CCTV cameras, had not been met by the West Bengal state government. Despite briefly returning to work in emergency departments last month, doctors decided to cease work again after their demands were not fulfilled.
The discovery of the victim’s bloodied body reignited anger over the issue of violence against women in India. Tens of thousands of people across the country joined in protests following the attack, highlighting the lack of safety measures for female doctors. The brutality of the murder led to public criticism of the government’s handling of the investigation, resulting in the dismissal of the city’s police chief and top health ministry officials.
Doctors in Kolkata plan to take to the streets once again to demand justice for their murdered colleague and insist on the government meeting its promises to improve safety and security in hospitals. The Supreme Court of India has also ordered a national task force to examine ways to enhance security for healthcare workers, recognizing the gravity of the situation. The heinous nature of the attack drew comparisons to the 2012 gang rape and murder of a young woman on a Delhi bus, which sparked widespread protests across the country.
The union spokesman for the protesting doctors, Aniket Mahato, emphasized that the state government’s failure to provide a safe working environment was unacceptable. The lack of adequate security measures in hospitals not only puts healthcare workers at risk but also contributes to the larger issue of violence against women in India. The continuation of the strike by doctors in Kolkata reflects their commitment to seeking justice for their colleague and ensuring that necessary safety measures are put in place to prevent future incidents of violence.
The government’s response to the demands of the protesting doctors will be crucial in determining the future of the strike and addressing the larger issue of workplace safety. The nationwide attention on the case has highlighted the need for immediate and effective action to protect healthcare workers and prevent such tragic incidents from occurring again. The solidarity shown by doctors and members of the public in demanding justice and accountability underscores the urgency of the situation and the determination to bring about meaningful change in hospital safety measures in India.
