A group of Indian doctors and medical students based in the United Kingdom have issued a strong call for justice following the horrific rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, India. The open letter, released this weekend, condemns the brutal attack and criticizes the West Bengal government for its perceived inaction in response to the incident. The letter highlights the incident as a symptom of a larger issue: the rising violence against women and the state’s failure to adequately address it. They argue that insufficient investment in public infrastructure and safety measures disproportionately impacts women, who already face marginalization due to patriarchal societal structures. The letter also criticizes the government’s history of victim-blaming and misogynistic responses instead of actively working to create safer workplaces and effective judicial mechanisms.
The open letter follows a wave of peaceful protests organized by Indian doctors in the UK, including gatherings outside India House in London, and in cities like Edinburgh and Leeds. These protests demonstrate solidarity with the doctors protesting in India demanding justice for the victim. The tragic death of the female doctor is seen as a stark reminder of the urgent need to implement public safety measures and establish robust internal complaint mechanisms within all workplaces across India.
The brutal attack, which occurred on August 9th, has sparked outrage and protests throughout India. A 31-year-old woman trainee doctor was found murdered at the seminar hall in the hospital premises, leading to widespread demands for justice and accountability. Further protests are planned in the UK, culminating in a demonstration by British Indian women doctors at Parliament Square in London on August 22nd.
Dr Dipti Jain, an NHS geriatrician based in Brighton and the lead coordinator for the upcoming protest, expressed the collective sentiment of doctors from the UK, US, Canada, and the UAE, stating that “Justice delayed is justice denied.” The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also called for a nationwide strike of its members to further amplify the calls for justice.
Meanwhile, in India, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting an investigation into the attack. They have questioned the former principal of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital for the second day, as part of their probe. A civic volunteer has also been arrested in connection with the horrific incident. The global outcry and protests underscore the demand for justice for the victim and a commitment to addressing the systemic issues that contribute to violence against women.
