Doctors obeserve nationwide strike in response to Kolkata rape-murder case, echoing 2012 Nirbhaya incident
The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) organised the strike, calling for prompt action and justice for the victim. The tragic incident, which occurred while the doctor was on duty last Friday, has sparked widespread outrage within the medical community.
Doctors across India have initiated a nationwide strike on Monday to protest the horrific sexual assault and murder of a 31-year-old female postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical Hospital in Kolkata.
This incident recalls the harrowing 2012 case of Jyoti Singh, a 22-year-old physiotherapy intern who was brutally beaten, gang-raped, and tortured aboard a private bus while traveling with her male friend, Avnindra Pratap Pandey.
Doctors association demands prompt action
The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) organised the strike, calling for prompt action and justice for the victim. The tragic incident, which occurred while the doctor was on duty last Friday, has sparked widespread outrage within the medical community.
#pressrelease @SJHDELHI @MoHFW_INDIA @OfficeofJPNadda @MamataOfficial @KolkataPolice pic.twitter.com/6LJr1yxtis
¡ª RDA VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital (@RDA_SJH) August 11, 2024
In a demonstration of solidarity, doctors from West Bengal have declared an indefinite halt to their work. Simultaneously, major hospitals in Delhi, including Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Maulana Azad Medical College, and VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, have voiced their support for the national strike initiated by FORDA.
#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals from Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital as doctors protest.
¡ª ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2024
FORDA (Federation of Resident Doctors Association) calls a nationwide strike, demanding justice for the woman PG trainee doctor who was found raped & murdered at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital in¡ pic.twitter.com/nKWqf1mgb5
"We shall begin our nationwide agitation," stated FORDA in a press release. They have resolved to suspend elective services across the country starting Monday. "As a mark of our solidarity with the colleagues of RG Kar, we announce a nationwide halt of elective services in hospitals starting Monday. This decision is not made lightly, but it is necessary to ensure that our voices are heard and that the demands for justice and safety are met without further delay," FORDA emphasised.
Furthermore, FORDA has reportedly issued five key demands to the authorities, seeking swift justice for the deceased, improved security protocols for healthcare workers, and urging the expedited enactment of the Central Healthcare Protection Act.
VIDEO | "We are thankful that everybody has given equal contribution and more organisations and people are joining to this cause. Our cause is that the incident at RG Kar Hospital is the worst that could have happened to any on-duty doctor...rape followed by murder is deeply¡ pic.twitter.com/kAzUFU8WTG
¡ª Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 12, 2024
SIT to probe the case
In response to the incident, the West Bengal government has appointed Dr Bulbul Mukhopadhyay as the new Medical Superintendent cum Vice-Principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Regarding the investigation, the Kolkata Police have detained a suspect named Sanjay Roy, an outsider with access to the hospital premises. Roy was apprehended following the discovery of a Bluetooth headset at the crime scene, which led to his identification through CCTV footage.
#KOLKATA_DOCTOR_MURDER
¡ª Abhishek Ranjan (@Abhishekrjn15au) August 11, 2024
NRMCH Doctors are on Strike & Intensifying their Protest in Support of #RGKAR Medical College Doctors !
Tomorrow Whole Delhi Doctors are going to Start Massive Protest!
NO SAFETY = NO WORK #MedTwitter #BengalHorror #rgkarincident pic.twitter.com/GADEMw6Ggc
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The preliminary autopsy report of the deceased doctor revealed multiple injuries and signs of sexual assault, confirming that the crime occurred between 3 and 6 pm. In light of these findings, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to further investigate the murder.
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Kumar Debvrat is a copyeditor at Indiatimes, combining trending topics in India with unique human-interest stories. He has a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, enjoying both cricket and comic book movies.
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