Protests spread in India after a case of rape, murder of a doctor
19/08/2024
In solidarity with the doctors, thousands of people marched through the streets of Kolkata on Sunday evening chanting "We want justice". - AP photo
Protests spread in India after a case of rape, murder of a doctor
In solidarity with the doctors, thousands of people marched through the streets of Kolkata on Sunday evening chanting "We want justice". - AP photo
KOLKATA: Several young Indian doctors went on strike by not working on Sunday to demand immediate justice for their colleagues who were raped and killed.
Doctors across India have staged protests, candlelight processions and refused to treat non-emergency patients in the past week following the killing of a 31-year-old postgraduate medical student in the early hours of August 9 in Kolkata.
In solidarity with the doctors, thousands of people marched through the streets of Kolkata on Sunday evening chanting "We want justice".
Authorities in the state of west Bengal are trying to stop demonstrations against the horrific crime from turning violent.
Women's activists say the incident at the RG Kar College and Medical Hospital has highlighted how women in India continue to suffer despite stricter laws after the 2012 gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old student on a moving bus in Delhi.
India introduced major changes to its criminal justice system, including tougher sentences after the 2012 attacks.
However, protesters say little has changed and not enough to prevent violence against women.
The Indian Medical Association urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying 60 percent of Indian doctors are women and he needs to intervene to ensure hospital staff are protected with the same security protocols as at airports.
