Thousands of people in Kolkata marched in the streets demanding justice for a female doctor who was raped and murdered in a hospital. The incident has sparked widespread protests by doctors and activists across India, who say that despite tougher laws enacted after the brutal gang rape in Delhi in 2012, not enough has been done to protect women.
The strike called by the Indian Medical Association has ended, but some junior doctors have remained off the job, demanding swift action in the case. The police volunteer accused of the crime has been arrested, but protesters are calling for a thorough investigation and more arrests.
The RG Kar Hospital, where the incident took place, has been the site of ongoing agitation and rallies for over a week. Despite a police ban on gatherings near the hospital, protesters have defied the order. The All India Residents and Junior Doctors’ Joint Action Forum has announced a nationwide strike if their demands are not met within 72 hours.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been urged by the doctors’ association to ensure the safety of hospital staff and to implement security measures similar to those at airports. In Modi’s home state of Gujarat, trainee doctors in government hospitals have continued to stay away from nonemergency services. The protests are a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by women in India and the need for stronger measures to address violence against them.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
