Nationwide Strike Called by FORDA Following the Tragic Rape and Doctor Murder in Kolkata

Published: August 12, 2024

Shockwaves around the country have come from the Kolkata doctor murder and rape of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The August 9, 2024 occurrence has caused great indignation and prompted notable medical community demonstrations.

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Early postmortem reports showed severe sexual assault and many injuries in a hospital lecture hall

Kolkata Police detained civic volunteer Sanjay Roy in relation to the crime in the immediate wake of the incident Kolkata doctor Murder. Suspected activity tied him to the incident that preceded his arrest. Nonetheless, the police inquiry has come under fire and claims of a cover-up based on contradicting evidence and statements.

Rape-murder of a PG trainee woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata | BMC MARD (Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors) announces the suspension of elective/non-emergency medical services by resident doctors from 8 am on August 13 until the acceptance… pic.twitter.com/Hnm0hbdnmF

— ANI (@ANI) August 12, 2024

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) called for a statewide strike to ban elective surgeries in hospitals

🚨 We shall begin our Nationwide agitation from tomorrow! (Monday 12th August)

We stand with our beaten, manhandled, deeply hurt colleagues of R G Kar Medical College, Kolkata.

We urge authorities to not make it political and color it bad- It’s humanity which is at stake here.… pic.twitter.com/pPg2ifpBqI

— FORDA INDIA (@FordaIndia) August 11, 2024

This choice was taken to guarantee the protection of medical professionals and demand justice for Kolkata doctor murder. Major hospitals in cities including Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata joined the strike starting on August 12, 2024.

Medical Community Demands

Among the various demands made by the protesting doctors are:

Investigating the incident under a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) guarantees an objective approach.
Swift victim justice via a fast-track court.
Improved security protocols for medical professionals meant to stop such events going forward.
Creation of an expert committee meant to hasten Central Healthcare Protection Act ratification.

The Kolkata doctor murder incident sparked political unrest in West Bengal

Alleging attempts to cover up the crime, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has attacked the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.

Declaring a lack of faith in the state police’s handling of the matter, BJP officials have insisted that the inquiry be passed to the CBI.

Reversing the earlier official, the West Bengal government has assigned Professor Dr. Bulbul Mukhopadhyay as the new Medical Superintendent cum Vice-Principal of RG Kar Medical College. This action is considered an attempt to rebuild faith in the hospital’s running policies.

Support for the agitating doctors comes from all throughout the nation

“We stand united against violence!”

Demanding justice and improved security for healthcare personnel, medical students and professionals have staged candlelight marches and demonstrations. Among the establishments displaying sympathy with the striking physicians are the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) in Bhopal and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi.

The terrible rape and murder of the postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College have made clear how urgently improved security policies for medical professionals and an open investigation procedure are needed. FORDA’s statewide walk-through emphasizes the need of justice and safety in the medical community. It is yet to be seen how the government would answer to these demands and guarantee that such events never resurface in the future as the demonstrations go on.