The finding of the 31-year-old’s body at a state-run hospital last week has sparked widespread anger.
Sexual Violence
A woman lights a candle at a vigil in Mumbai, India, during a protest condemning the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a government hospital in Kolkata.
Activists of humanitarian organisations, students of different colleges shout slogan as they participate in a protest rally condemning a brutal rape and murder of a 31 year old post-graduate trainee (PGT) doctor inside a government hospital, demanding exemplary punishment of the culprits involved in the crime, in Kolkata, India, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
Image Reference By Aljazeera
Nationwide Protests Over Doctor’s Rape and Murder
Thousands of people marched through several Indian cities in response to the rape and murder of a doctor. The protests, which grew larger over time, saw participants carrying candles and signs that read “reclaim the night.” Demonstrations took place in cities like Kolkata, where the body of the trainee doctor was discovered last week. This incident also led to protests by fellow doctors, who are calling for safer working conditions.
Earlier this week, many government hospitals across India suspended all services except for emergency care. Junior doctors held sit-ins outside hospitals, demanding justice for the victim.
The 31-year-old doctor was found dead on Friday. Police reported that she had been raped and murdered, and one person has been arrested in connection with the crime.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Independence Day, expressing concern about the violence against women in India, though he did not specifically mention the Kolkata case.
Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) showed that crimes against women in India increased by 4 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year.
Protests Erupt Across India
Thousands of people took to the streets in various Indian cities to protest the rape and murder of a doctor. The demonstrations, which intensified over time, featured participants holding candles and signs with the message “reclaim the night.”
Kolkata Incident Sparks Additional Protests
In Kolkata, where the 31-year-old trainee doctor’s body was found last week, the protests included calls from fellow medics for improved and safer working conditions. The discovery of her body led to widespread anger and further unrest.
Government Hospital Services Suspended
Many government hospitals across India suspended all services except for emergency care earlier this week. Junior doctors conducted sit-ins outside these hospitals, demanding justice for the victim.
Prime Minister Addresses the Nation
On Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the broader issue of violence against women in India. Although he expressed concern, he did not specifically reference the Kolkata case.
Rise in Crimes Against Women
According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), crimes against women in India increased by 4 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year.
Protesters in Kolkata, marching under the “reclaim the night” slogan, demanded action against violence against women with handwritten signs.
Some medical centers suspended services indefinitely, while marches and vigils highlighted issues of sexual violence and doctors’ safety.
On August 9, the body of a 31-year-old trainee doctor, showing multiple injuries, was discovered in a government teaching hospital in Kolkata.
Laws against sexual violence were tightened after the 2012 gang-rape and murder of a 22-year-old physiotherapy intern on a bus.
