The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has declared a 24-hour nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency services starting from 6 am on 17 August 2024, following the alleged rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The decision comes in the wake of escalating protests and a recent incident of vandalism at the hospital.
According to the IMA's statement, essential services and casualty wards will remain operational, but outpatient departments (OPDs) will not function, and elective surgeries will be postponed. The strike will affect all sectors where modern medicine doctors provide services.
The tragic incident, which occurred on 9 August, has sparked widespread outrage and protests across India. The body of the 31-year-old postgraduate trainee was discovered in a seminar hall of the hospital, bearing extensive injuries. Initial reports suggest she had fallen asleep after a gruelling 36-hour shift due to the lack of a designated rest area.
A civic volunteer, identified as Sanjoy Roy, has been arrested in connection with the crime. However, the victim's parents allege that their daughter was gang-raped, citing forensic evidence indicating the presence of a significant amount of semen in her body, which they claim suggests multiple perpetrators.
The case has now been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following an order from the Calcutta High Court. The CBI's Special Crime Unit is conducting a thorough investigation, focusing on gathering forensic evidence from the crime scene, court presentations, and coordination with Kolkata Police.
The incident has led to a series of protests and demonstrations across West Bengal and other parts of India. On the night of 15 August, as India marked its 77th Independence Day, tens of thousands of women participated in a "Reclaim the Night" march through the streets of Kolkata and other cities. Protesters, holding placards and candles, demanded justice for the victim and better safety measures for medical professionals.
However, the protests took a violent turn when a group of unidentified individuals, described as "intoxicated miscreants" by some sources, stormed the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in the early hours of 15 August. The mob vandalised the protest site, destroyed hospital property, and clashed with police, prompting authorities to use tear gas to disperse the crowd.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has blamed the attack on "politically-motivated outsiders" and urged protesting doctors to return to work. The Kolkata Police have detained twelve people in connection with the vandalism.
The incident has reignited debates about the safety of medical professionals in India. Striking doctors are demanding a Central Healthcare Protection Act to enhance safety measures for medical personnel amidst concerns about rising violence against them. While 19 states have enacted laws protecting doctors, the medical community is calling for uniform national legislation to ensure consistent protection across India.
The case has also raised questions about hospital management and security. Dr Sandip Ghosh, the former head of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, was initially asked to go on leave after facing backlash for comments perceived as victim-blaming and for failing to maintain adequate safety for staff. In a surprising turn of events, he was reinstated as Principal of Calcutta Medical College and Hospital just 24 hours after his resignation.
The incident has sparked political tensions in West Bengal. The Bharatiya Janata Party's women's wing has announced a candlelight rally to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence, demanding her resignation. The Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) has called for a 12-hour general strike in West Bengal on 16 August.
In response to the growing pressure, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced her own protest, demanding capital punishment for the accused. She has also called on the CBI to "ensure justice within next Sunday."
The medical community's response has been widespread, with protests and demonstrations planned across the country. The Resident Doctors' Associations in Delhi will hold a joint protest march from Nirman Bhavan at 2 pm on 16 August. The Delhi Medical Association, following an emergency meeting on 15 August, has decided to hold a candle march at India Gate at 5 pm on 16 August. In Mumbai, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has announced a protest against the incident at Azad Maidan on 16 August.
The incident has also mobilised other sectors of society. Members of the Bengali film and television industry have joined hands with protesting doctors at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Jadavpur University Teachers' Association has called for a day-long cease-work on 16 August to protest the vandalism at the hospital. They have denounced any attempts to conceal evidence related to the rape-murder and demanded justice for the victim's family. Meanwhile, the Kolkata Metro Railway has announced that it would run normal services on 16 August, despite the 12-hour general strike called by the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist).
