A nationwide protest has erupted across India following the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The tragedy has led to significant disruptions in medical services, with healthcare professionals from various states joining the demonstrations.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) announced a 24-hour nationwide suspension of non-emergency services, starting at 6 a.m. on August 17. This protest is a response to the heinous crime committed against the trainee doctor, as well as the vandalism that occurred at the hospital afterward.
In a statement released late Thursday night, the IMA confirmed that essential services and emergency care will continue as usual. However, outpatient departments (OPD) will be closed, and elective surgeries will be postponed. This suspension affects all areas where doctors practice modern medicine, according to the IMA.
The IMA’s statement expressed outrage over the crime and the hooliganism unleashed on protesting students at RG Kar Medical College on the eve of Independence Day. The association emphasized the vulnerability of doctors, especially women, to violence due to the nature of their profession, and called on authorities to ensure the safety of healthcare workers in hospitals and campuses.
Following a meeting with state branches, the IMA decided to halt non-emergency services. On Friday, the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) announced the suspension of OPD services at public healthcare centers across Punjab. The protest is a direct response to the horrific crime and a call for urgent action. Dr. Akhil Sarin, PCMSA president, demanded expeditious justice for the victim, a central protection act for healthcare professionals, and adequate security arrangements at public healthcare facilities. Emergency and medico-legal services will remain operational during the protest.
In Chandigarh, the Faculty Association of PGIMER pledged support for the IMA’s strike. A statement from PGIMER confirmed that all OPD services would be closed for both new and existing patients, though emergency and critical care services would continue.
Protests in Kolkata have intensified, with junior doctors from RG Kar Medical College expressing frustration over the slow progress of the investigation. They have demanded immediate arrests of the perpetrators and called for a thorough investigation into the vandalism that occurred at the protest site.
The tragic incident occurred on August 9, when a trainee doctor was raped and murdered while on duty. The case has sparked nationwide outrage, with protests and strikes organized by medical professionals and students in various cities. In Delhi, junior doctors and students at RML Hospital participated in a silent protest, while the Indian Dental Association in Goa planned a protest march to demand justice and highlight issues of women’s safety at workplaces.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has intervened, issuing notices to the state government and medical institutions regarding the August 17 strike. The court emphasized that any strike action should not disrupt essential services.
In addition to the protests, a large mob attacked RG Kar Medical College on August 14, causing extensive damage and disrupting ongoing protests. Authorities have arrested 25 individuals in connection with the vandalism.
As the nationwide strike continues, doctors remain committed to maintaining emergency care and ensuring that essential services are not compromised. The IMA has urged all medical professionals to participate in the strike to express solidarity and demand immediate and effective action against those responsible for the crime and subsequent vandalism.
