Protests Surge in India Over Doctor’s Rape and Murder at Hospital

NEW DELHI — A wave of protests swept across India on Friday, ignited by the harrowing rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at a government hospital. Demonstrators in various cities called for justice and demanded improved safety measures at medical facilities.

In New Delhi, crowds gathered near Parliament, holding signs that demanded accountability for the egregious crime. Similar rallies erupted in cities like Kolkata, where the incident occurred, as well as in Mumbai and Hyderabad.

The tragic protests began on August 9, following the discovery of the victim’s lifeless body in a seminar hall at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. An autopsy confirmed that she had been sexually assaulted, leading to the detention of a police volunteer linked to the case. The victim’s family has alleged that multiple individuals were involved in a gang rape.

Initial investigators from the state government faced criticism for their handling of the case, leading to federal authorities taking over the investigation following a court order.

This incident has not only stirred anger but also sparked widespread outrage across the nation, prompting thousands of doctors and healthcare workers to walk out of public hospitals demanding a safer workplace.

The issue of sexual violence against women in India is pervasive. In 2022, the National Crime Records Bureau reported over 31,000 instances of rape, a stark 20% rise from the previous year. Despite this alarming statistic, many crimes remain unreported due to the social stigma attached and a general mistrust in law enforcement.

Women’s rights advocates highlight that the situation is particularly dire in rural areas, where societal norms often lead to victim-blaming, and families fear the repercussions of coming forward.

“As a woman, it boils my blood,” expressed Richa Garg, a doctor participating in the protests in New Delhi. “The culprits of this crime should be found immediately, and our workplaces should be made safer.”

The atmosphere surrounding the hospital where the tragic event took place turned chaotic on Wednesday night, with reports of an attack on the facility. Although police have yet to identify the instigators, 19 individuals have been detained so far.

In response to the growing unrest, the Indian Medical Association, the largest organization of medical professionals in the country, announced a temporary nationwide withdrawal of services, excluding essential care, starting Saturday. This unprecedented action reflects the widespread concern for safety among healthcare workers.

“Doctors, especially women, are vulnerable to violence because of the nature of the profession. It is the authorities’ responsibility to ensure our safety within hospitals and campuses,” the IMA emphasized in a statement made on social media.

Political leaders, as well as Bollywood celebrities, have expressed outrage over the incident and called for harsher penalties for such crimes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation on Independence Day, reiterated that “monstrous behavior against women should be severely and promptly punished.”

The severity of this crime has drawn grim comparisons to the infamous 2012 gang rape of a young student on a New Delhi bus, a case that sparked massive protests and led to significant legal reforms regarding sexual violence. Following that incident, lawmakers imposed stricter sentences, established fast-track courts for rape cases, and introduced the death penalty for repeat offenders.

Revisions to the rape laws in 2013 also broadened the definition of sexual violence to include stalking and voyeurism, while lowering the age at which an individual could be tried as an adult from 18 to 16.

The impact of these recent protests continues to unfold, as the nation grapples with the urgent need for change to protect women and address the systemic issues related to violence against them.