Protests against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College have spread across the country, with doctors in Gujarat also joining the movement along with their counterparts in other states. Doctors and resident doctors in government hospitals across the state went on strike, suspending OPD and ward services while maintaining emergency services.
In Surat, some OPDs at the Civil Hospital were opened, but resident doctors did not report for duty, leading to long queues of patients outside. Similarly, doctors at Sayaji Hospital in Vadodara have halted all services except emergency care, gathering in front of the medical college to protest.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a nationwide 24-hour strike from 6 am on Saturday to 6 am on Sunday. All services, except emergency and casualty services, will be closed, with measures in place to minimise patient inconvenience, the IMA said.
On Wednesday, junior doctors and students at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital held a rally from the PG hostel canteen to BJ Medical College, demanding justice and protesting the attack on doctors. Many women doctors participated, carrying banners and chanting slogans.
In response to the Kolkata incident, the Junior Doctors’ Association has announced an indefinite closure of OPD and ward services in all government hospitals across Gujarat, with only emergency services remaining operational.
At Sayaji Hospital in Vadodara, around 400 doctors, including interns, junior and senior residents, joined the strike, demanding strict action and justice. Doctors in Gujarat have pledged to support the West Bengal Doctors’ Association demands until they are met by the authorities.
The protests highlight the medical community’s call for justice and stricter measures to ensure the safety and well-being of healthcare professionals nationwide.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said it’s a “big crime” and the accused should hanged to death. She blamed “Bam [Left] and Ram [BJP]” for RG Kar vandalism on Wednesday night.
Videos show a mob of dozens pushing their way in the emergency ward of the RG Kar Hospital and vandalising chairs. Some were even seen vandalising the protest site.
So far nineteen people have been arrested by Kolkata Police for the vandalism.
Meanwhile, the CBI has taken over the investigation of the Kolkata rape and murder case. The CBI Special Crime Branch on Friday summoned four doctors of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital for interrogation in the murder and rape of the trainee doctor at the government-run hospital.
A woman trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered in the seminal hall of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.
On the other hand, father of the deceased doctor has turned down the compensation announced by the government after the brutal crime and demanded justice for his daughter.
“I express gratitude to everyone, regarding the protest that has been happening across the country and world. I consider everyone who is standing with us, as my sons and daughters…CBI has assured us that the accused will be arrested at the earliest and awarded strict punishment based on whatever we have told them…I have turned down the compensation. It will hurt my daughter if I accept money as compensation for her death. I want justice,” the deceased doctor’s father told media.
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