Medical personnel in India engage in a 24-hour work stoppage.
Once more, India is left in shock by a grave incident at a Kolkata hospital. A promising young doctor is viciously assaulted and murdered, sparking outrage among healthcare professionals. In response, medical professionals across the nation embark on a 24-hour nationwide strike, as instructed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). This move, they explain, is an effort to seek justice for their fallen colleague and daughters alike.
During a demonstration in New Delhi, signs read, "Enough is enough." Meanwhile, countless Kolkata residents held a candlelit vigil throughout the night, bearing a banner that read, "Hands that heal should not bleed."
The horrendous crime unfolded on August 9, when the lifeless body of a 31-year-old doctor was discovered in a state-run hospital in Kolkata. Her lifeless body was discovered in the seminar room of the teaching hospital, where she had taken a break during a 36-hour shift. An autopsy confirmed the gruesome act of rape. Her grieving family accused a group of perpetrators.
This heinous incident ignited nationwide protests. Earlier in the week, employees of several state-run hospitals in various regions walked off the job during individual shifts. Thousands flooded the streets of Kolkata on Wednesday. The IMA subsequently called for a nationwide strike, which took place on Friday.
Scant convictions
So far, the authorities have arrested a hospital employee as a suspect. Protesters claim that the investigation has been inadequate. As a result, the city's high court transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation to restore public trust in the investigation process.
Sadly, sexual assault against women is rampant in India. In 2022, an astounding average of approximately 90 rapes were reported daily in this patriarchal nation with a 1.4 billion-strong population. Many instances of assault go unreported due to the stigma surrounding victims and their lack of trust in the police and justice system. Convictions for rape remain infrequent, and the lengthy trials often drag on for years.
It is plausible that societal views may partially contribute to this issue. Each year, thousands of female fetuses are terminated, girls attend school less frequently than boys, and daughters are often viewed as a financial burden on families, often requiring a substantial dowry to be paid, despite being illegal. However, when a particularly heinous case of sexual assault gains widespread attention, public outrage ensues, especially in the wake of the infamous gang rape of a 23-year-old student on a moving bus in New Delhi twelve years ago. She ultimately succumbed to her injuries in a hospital.
Modi urges swift action
Twelve years ago, mass protests led to a tightening of laws following the aforementioned gruesome incident. The four perpetrators were executed seven years later, resulting in jubilant celebrations outside the prison in New Delhi. Nevertheless, many Indian women continue to distrust the police and justice system, especially those belonging to lower castes. Countless cases remain unsolved for years, and some suspects are even granted bail.
Of late, numerous women have joined the protests, from the young to the elderly. They marched on the eve of India's Independence Day from British rule, demanding a life free of fear. Coincidentally, the hospital where the 31-year-old medical student's body was discovered was vandalized on the same night.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi alluded to the situation in his Independence Day speech. "The public is furious," he stated. "Our nation, our society, and our regional governments must treat this situation with the gravity it deserves. Crimes against women should be investigated with greater urgency." It is worth noting that societal values tend to change at a glacial pace.
The women participating in the protests demand a life free of fear, voicing their concerns about women's rights and safety in India. The horrific crime against the young doctor has sparked a national conversation about the urgency needed to address the rampant sexual assault cases and improve conviction rates.
