National Medical Protests Ignite over Kolkata Trainee Doctor's Rape-Murder Case

Amid nationwide protests over the rape-murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, Resident Doctors' Associations in Delhi will hold a joint march on August 16. The Delhi Medical Association (DMA) has also announced a candle march and a 24-hour strike to pressurize the government for action.

Amid the ongoing protest in Kolkata over the rape-murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College, Resident Doctors' Associations (RDAs) across Delhi will hold a joint protest march on August 16, announced the RDA in a press release. The march is scheduled to start at 2 PM from Nirman Bhavan in the National Capital.

A comprehensive joint meeting was conducted by representatives from various RDAs, including AIIMS Delhi, SJH, and MAMC. Following extensive discussions, it was unanimously decided that all Resident Doctors' Associations in Delhi will participate in the protest march on August 16.

In response to the incident, the Delhi Medical Association (DMA) held an emergency meeting and decided to hold a candle march at India Gate on Friday at 5 PM. DMA President-elect Dr. Girish Tyagi described the incident as 'very shameful' and expressed solidarity with the victim and her family. Tyagi added that a 24-hour strike would commence from 6 AM on August 17 to 6 AM the next day. He emphasized that proper working conditions for resident doctors are essential, and emergency services would be included in the next phase of the strike.

DMA President Dr. Alok Bhandari further stated, 'We had an emergency meeting today. Everyone is angry and pained by what happened to one of our sisters and daughters in Kolkata.' Bhandari called for a nationwide strike and warned that if the government does not address these problems, medical professionals might take to the streets. A 24-hour strike has been called from Saturday to Sunday to demand a permanent solution to these issues. He labeled the incident as a public issue and described it as 'the most shameful thing for this country.'

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) also announced a 24-hour nationwide withdrawal of services by doctors of modern medicine, starting from 6 AM on August 17 to 6 AM on August 18.

The incident has also garnered support from the Bengali film and television industry, with several personalities joining the protests at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Actress Alivia Sarkar said, 'We are speechless and we want justice and a proper solution. This movement has shaken the country and everyone is talking about it; all want justice.'

On August 9, a postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, sparking nationwide outrage and protests from the medical community. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)