Protests among doctors in India have led to significant repercussions for hospital services in several cities following a tragic incident where a medical student was raped and killed in Kolkata. According to authorities and media reports, thousands of doctors have demonstrated for justice and improved safety conditions.
The 31-year-old medical student was found dead at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, and an autopsy revealed that she had been raped prior to her death. In connection with the case, a police volunteer has been arrested.
The protests, which began in Kolkata, have now spread to other Indian cities. More than 8,000 doctors in the state of Maharashtra, home to the financial capital Mumbai, have ceased work in all hospital departments except for emergency services. The Federation of Resident Doctors Association has called for a nationwide shutdown of elective services.
As a consequence of the protests, emergency treatments remained suspended on Tuesday at nearly all state-run medical universities in Kolkata. According to state representative NS Nigam, authorities are evaluating the impact on health services.
In the national capital, New Delhi, junior doctors in white coats held placards reading “Doctors are not slaughterhouses” while participating in protests outside a major public hospital. Similar protests also occurred in cities like Lucknow and Goa, where hospital services were affected.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) addressed a letter to Health Minister JP Nadda, highlighting issues such as poor working conditions, inhumane workloads, and workplace violence as pressing realities. IMA Secretary General Anil Kumar J Nayak urged the minister to enhance security at medical facilities.
Authorities in Kolkata have already ordered that the investigation into the case be handed over to the federal agency, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), emphasizing that the case is considered a national priority. The National Health Commission has also issued a notice to all medical institutions, urging the installation of surveillance cameras and ensuring adequate security personnel are in place. Furthermore, there have been orders for designated areas to be well-lit to facilitate safe movement for staff.
This tragic incident has raised significant concerns regarding the safety of healthcare workers in India’s overcrowded and often poorly maintained public hospitals. Doctors have long complained about overwork and insufficient security, and the protests may trigger necessary changes in the system.