Thousands of Indian junior doctors are continuing their protests over the recent rape and murder of a fellow medic, which has led to disruptions in hospital services nationwide. The protests, which began nearly a week ago, are part of a demand for a safer workplace environment and a swift criminal investigation into the incident.
Following the tragic killing of the 31-year-old medic on August 9 at a hospital in Kolkata, doctors across the country have been refusing to see non-emergency patients and have been participating in demonstrations. A police volunteer has been arrested and charged with the crime, sparking outrage among women activists who point to ongoing issues of sexual violence in India despite legislative efforts to address such crimes.
The government has called for the doctors to return to work while it establishes a committee to propose measures aimed at enhancing the safety of healthcare professionals. However, the protesting junior doctors, represented by Dr. Aniket Mahata from R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, have vowed to continue their cease-work and sit-in until their demands are met.
In a show of solidarity, supporters of West Bengal state's major soccer clubs took to the streets of Kolkata chanting 'We want justice.' Similar protests have been reported in Odisha, New Delhi, and Gujarat by groups representing junior doctors.
Gita Gopinath, deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund, emphasized the importance of workplace safety in increasing the female labor force participation rate in India, which currently stands at 37%. Gopinath stressed that ensuring safety at the workplace and during the commute is crucial for boosting female participation in the workforce.
