Nationwide Protests Erupt Over Kolkata Doctor's Murder

Doctors and medical students nationwide, led by Sawai Man Singh Medical College and AIIMS Delhi, protest following the sexual assault and murder of a woman post-graduate trainee doctor in Kolkata. The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) calls for a nationwide shutdown of OPD services to demand justice and enhanced workplace safety.

Doctors and medical students from Sawai Man Singh Medical College in Jaipur staged a protest following the sexual assault and murder of a woman post-graduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has announced a nationwide shutdown of OPD services starting Tuesday, demanding justice and a thorough investigation.

Dr. Saket from Sawai Man Singh Medical College commented, 'Common people might feel that since doctors are protesting, patients could be suffering and we are being cruel, but this incident happened on August 8 and this protest did not start before August 12. Four days are sufficient for the government to apprehend culprits in such a grave incident.' He asserted that there are reports indicating the involvement of the ruling government and that real culprits are being shielded.

As Dr. Saket highlighted, 'One person has been arrested and is being used as a scapegoat, although the post-mortem clearly indicates that one individual could not have committed the crime alone. We are demanding a CBI probe. The college principal has been transferred rather than suspended, and the investigation seems superficial.' He also stressed the need for enforcing the Central Protection Act, especially considering previous cases where on-duty doctors were poorly treated by patient attendants.

Protests also took place at AIIMS Delhi on Tuesday after FAIMA called for a nationwide shutdown. Dr. Indra Shekhar Prasad, President of the Resident Doctors Association at AIIMS Delhi, stated, 'This is such a serious incident. A woman on duty was sexually assaulted and brutally murdered. If such incidents occur at workplaces, how will women feel safe working? We are demanding a CBI probe and will continue our protest until our demands are met.'

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has written to Union Minister JP Nadda, demanding a detailed inquiry into the circumstances that enabled the crime and measures to improve workplace safety for doctors, especially women. The post-graduate trainee doctor was found raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

(With inputs from agencies.)