The Kolkata Doctor Rape Case has prompted a nationwide strike organized by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which commenced at 6 am today, August 17, and will continue until 6 am on Sunday, August 18. This 24-hour strike is a response to the tragic rape and murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. In light of this incident, the union health ministry has announced the formation of a committee following discussions with the IMA and other medical associations, aimed at proposing measures to enhance the safety of healthcare professionals throughout the nation.
During this strike, non-emergency health services will be suspended for 24 hours, with operations resuming at 6 am tomorrow. Routine outpatient departments (OPDs) will be closed, and elective surgeries will be postponed. The IMA has indicated that this withdrawal of services will affect all sectors where modern medicine practitioners are active. Nevertheless, essential services will remain operational, and emergency cases will be attended to, as stated by the organization. Dr. Asokan, the National President of the IMA, referred to this initiative as a “movement for safety” and highlighted the strong solidarity among doctors nationwide in opposing such injustices. He also mentioned that the medical association intends to reach out to the prime minister, anticipating a supportive response from the government regarding this critical issue of women’s safety.
What is the status of the probe?
A team from the Central Bureau of Investigation is currently examining the case, which was transferred from the Kolkata Police by the Calcutta High Court on August 13. Investigations have revealed that the spouse of Sanjay Roy, the individual accused of the rape and murder of the doctor, had filed a complaint at the Khalighat police station, alleging that he had assaulted her. During a rally on Friday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that there are intentional efforts to obscure the truth through the dissemination of false information on social media. She accused the CPI(M) and BJP of vandalizing RG Kar Hospital to eliminate evidence related to the crime, asserting, “We seek the truth, yet certain factions are spreading misinformation to mislead the public… The alliance between the Left and BJP must be brought to light,” as she led a march advocating for the death penalty for the primary accused.
MA is examining the statement issued by the Health Ministry concerning the committee dedicated to the safety of healthcare professionals.
On Saturday, the Union health ministry announced the establishment of a committee tasked with recommending comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals.
The committee will invite representatives from all relevant stakeholders, including state governments, to contribute their suggestions.
In light of the ongoing protests by doctors nationwide regarding the alleged rape and murder of a resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, the ministry has urged these medical professionals to return to work, emphasizing the importance of public health amid increasing cases of dengue and malaria.
In response to this announcement, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) stated that it is currently reviewing the health ministry’s statement, which promises to take all necessary actions to safeguard doctors and proposes the formation of a committee for this purpose.
The IMA indicated that it will provide a response after thorough evaluation and discussions with its state branches.
The IMA also referenced an Office Memorandum dated March 23, 2017, issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which was co-signed by ministry officials and the IMA, committing to explore the possibility of initiating a central Act on this matter, similar to those in effect in other states.
Medical services hit across Bihar as part of IMA strike
Medical services throughout Bihar experienced significant disruption on Saturday as physicians initiated a work stoppage in response to the heinous rape and murder of a young female doctor in Kolkata the previous week.
This strike, while not impacting emergency services, was part of a larger nationwide movement organized by the Indian Medical Association.
“The strike commenced at 6 AM today and will last for 24 hours. During this time, there will be no routine outpatient departments or elective surgeries,” stated Sahajanand Prasad Singh, the chief patron of the IMA Bihar chapter.
He emphasized, however, that “all essential services will remain operational, and emergency cases will be attended to” at hospitals throughout the state during the duration of the strike, which was called in response to the tragic incident that occurred within a medical college in the eastern city.
In addition to the state capital, where patients from various regions of Bihar are referred to facilities such as AIIMS, IGIMS, and PMCH, reports indicate that health services have also been affected in districts including Purnea and Begusarai.
Dhaka University students protest in solidarity with demonstrations over Kolkata rape incident
Students at the esteemed Dhaka University in Bangladesh organized a protest in support of the ongoing demonstrations concerning the rape and murder of a female trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata, India.
The protest, held under the slogan “Awaaz Tolo Nari” (Raise Your Voice, Women), occurred on Friday at the Raju Sculpture within Dhaka University. Participants displayed placards bearing messages such as “Hang the Rapists,” “Am I Next?”, “Stop Violence,” and “Don’t Be an Alpha Male, Question What It Represents,” as reported by the Dhaka Tribune.
“We recognize the uncooperative stance of the medical college administration regarding the rape case in Upper Bengal. As women, we demand that the administration offer maximum legal support, enforce the law rigorously, and deliver a verdict without delay,” stated Rahnuma Ahmed Niret, a student from the Department of Physics, during the event.
Additionally, a group of students participated in the “Occupy the Night” initiative at Dhaka University to express solidarity with the ongoing protests in India, calling for a thorough investigation and justice for all rape cases in Bangladesh in light of the recent mass uprising.
On Friday, students convened at the base of the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture at Dhaka University, where educators and prominent figures voiced their support for victims of sexual violence worldwide.
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