The body of the 31-year-old female trainee doctor was discovered on August 9, 2024, in the seminar hall of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The victim was found in a half-naked state with severe injuries, indicating a violent sexual assault. The doctor was reportedly taking a brief rest during a long shift and was brutally attacked and murdered.
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The crime immediately triggered massive public outrage across India. Thousands of people participated in protests and vigils in various cities including Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Delhi, demanding justice for the victim.
The protests were by slogans such as We want justice! and No safety, no service! as protestors called for stronger security measures in hospitals.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) representing over 400,000 doctors announced a 24-hour nationwide strike on Saturday, suspending all non-essential services and medical procedures.
The strike received support from multiple medical unions in both government and private sectors with many doctors halting elective services indefinitely as part of the protest.
The IMA addressed that the strike was not just a demand for justice but also a call for better protection for medical professionals particularly women, who face risks of violence.
Doctors are demanding increased security on medical campuses including better surveillance, more security personnel and safe resting areas for staff during long shifts.
There is a strong demand for swift and stringent action against the perpetrator(s) involved in the crime with many calling for the harshest possible punishment.
The medical community is pushing for the introduction of a federal law to curb violence against doctors.
The incident has sparked a political blame game in West Bengal with opposition parties accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of mishandling the situation.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition has accused the TMC of orchestrating the violence and failing to ensure the safety of citizens including medical professionals.
The TMC has blamed political outsiders for stoking violence and has denied any involvement in the incident.
During the Reclaim the Night march in Kolkata, a mob vandalized the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the crime took place.
The hospital’s emergency ward was ransacked and videos circulating online showed the mob smashing beds and medical equipment.
Several doctors and hospital staff were reportedly injured during the attack and police vehicles were also damaged. The police had to use tear gas to disperse the crowd leading to the arrest of 19 individuals.
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A hospital volunteer, who worked as a guide helping people navigate through busy queues has been arrested in connection with the crime.
An autopsy confirmed the sexual assault, but there are concerns that the investigation is being mishandled by state authorities.
The IMA and other medical associations are monitoring the investigation.
The strike has impacted medical services across the country with non-emergency services being suspended in most hospitals. Patients seeking elective surgeries and non-urgent medical care have been advised to reschedule their appointments.
The Kolkata Police have been accused of mishandling the case from the beginning. It took hours for the police to inform the victim’s family about her death.
The police registered the case as an unnatural death rather than a murder, which many found unusual given the circumstances.
Delays in the investigation with little progress for five days, forced the victim’s family to approach the Calcutta High Court, which transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The BJP has capitalized on the situation demanding Mamata Banerjee’s resignation, accusing her government of trying to suppress the case and protect the accused.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi indirectly referenced the incident during his Independence Day speech, calling for swift justice in crimes against women and addressing the need for severe punishment for the perpetrators.
The opposition including CPI(M) and Congress have also criticized Banerjee, alleging that her government is not taking the necessary steps to ensure justice.
Mamata Banerjee accused opposition parties of indulging in cheap politics and attempting to destabilize her government.
Banerjee has announced a rally demanding the death penalty for the culprits.
Massive protests have erupted in Kolkata and other parts of India with citizens demanding justice for the victim.
Candlelight vigils, marches and demonstrations have been organized by women. The protests have not been limited to Kolkata with major cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad also witnessing public demonstrations.
The state has seen cases of violence against women under Mamata Banerjee’s tenure including the Park Street gang rape in 2012 and the Kamduni gang rape in 2013.
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