Solidarity march: Doctors stage protest, seek justice for Kolkata rape and murder victim

Tribune News Service

Advertisement

New Delhi, August 16

Outrage over the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata has intensified, with Resident Doctor Associations across Delhi uniting for a joint protest march at Nirman Bhawan on Friday. The medical community has come together in a powerful show of solidarity, demanding swift justice and stronger protections for healthcare workers as anger mounts nationwide.

‘Medicos need safety’

We are tired of protesting. This is not why we studied medicine. We didn’t go through rigorous entrance exams to be out here protesting. We love our work at the hospitals, but we need safety to return to our duties. — Dr Aditi

‘Need a Central Protection Act for healthcare workers’

We need a Central Protection Act for healthcare workers. Our strike will continue until we receive a written assurance. — Dr Kumar Kartikay, AIIMS

Doctors from various hospitals marched towards Nirman Bhawan, where the Health Ministry is located, carrying placards that read: “Tomorrow is too late, stand up for women today”, “Hands that heal should not bleed! Save our saviours”, “Justice delayed is justice denied”, and “77 years but injustice continues… We fight for your lives, who will fight for ours?”

Ahead of the march, Dr Kumar Kartikay from AIIMS, Delhi, stated, “We are here to peacefully demand our rights. We need a Central Protection Act for healthcare workers. Our strike will continue until we receive a written assurance. We will not step back or remain silent until we are assured that action will be taken.”

Dr Aakash of RML Hospital echoed these sentiments, saying, “We are calling on the government to implement a Central Protection Act. Our protest will persist until we receive a concrete commitment that steps will be taken.”

Resident and junior doctors shared their fears about working under increasingly unsafe conditions. Dr Jyoti expressed, “We no longer feel safe at work... Every moment feels like a potential tragedy.”

Dr Aditi said, “We are tired of protesting. This is not why we studied medicine. We didn’t go through rigorous entrance exams to be out here protesting. We love our work at the hospitals, but we need safety to return to our duties.”

Despite their weariness, the doctors are adamant about continuing the protest until their demands are met. Dr Sandeep warned, “If our voices go unheard, we will be forced to halt all emergency services. This is not something we want to do, but it will be our last resort if we are not listened to.”

The protest by doctors reflects a growing sense of urgency and frustration within the medical community as they demand action and accountability in the wake of the tragic incident.