Mass Protests Erupt in Kolkata Following the Tragic Murder of a Female Doctor
On August 21, under the scorching sun in Kolkata, India, thousands of doctors and medical students took to the streets, united by grief and anger. Among the marchers were female doctors, many dressed in black T-shirts and wearing stethoscopes as they led the protest through the capital of West Bengal. The banners they carried reflected their sorrow and demands for justice, one of which read, “She pledged to save lives, not lose her own.”
This rally was a call for justice for a 31-year-old female doctor, a trainee who was brutally raped and murdered on August 9 at one of Kolkata’s largest government hospitals and medical colleges. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, leading to protests across the country, with demonstrations, marches, and candlelit vigils organized in various cities. A significant protest is planned for Tuesday, where participants are expected to march to Nabanna, the seat of the West Bengal state government.
Among the protesters was Sapna*, a 31-year-old junior doctor from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the horrific incident took place. Like many others, Sapna requested anonymity, fearing repercussions from hospital authorities. “If a female doctor can be murdered while on duty, where can women ever feel safe?” she questioned before joining the chorus of “We want justice.”
Sapna expressed her passion for her profession, but also her deep concern for safety within the hospital. “I love what I do,” she said, wiping sweat from her glasses. “But I need to feel safe at work, and I need to see justice for our colleague who lost her life.”
Heightened Security Concerns
Hundreds of medical students, junior doctors, alumni, and colleagues from various medical institutions have gathered for a sit-in protest at RG Kar, demanding increased security in medical facilities. A temporary shelter has been set up inside the hospital gates to protect protesters from the monsoon rains, close to the building where the victim’s body was discovered.
A 33-year-old police volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime. He was part of a civic volunteer force employed to assist police at the hospital. Anita*, a 29-year-old junior doctor, recalled the shock of learning about her colleague’s death. “I was in a daze. I couldn’t believe something like this could happen at my college,” she said. Now, she is too frightened to return to work, fearing for her own safety in the same hospital where the tragedy occurred.
The protesters’ anger is further fueled by the hospital authorities’ initial handling of the case. The victim’s parents were first told that their daughter had died by suicide, only for an autopsy to later confirm that she had been raped and murdered. The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the hospital’s response, and the case is currently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
While none of the doctors Al Jazeera spoke to reported personal experiences of assault or harassment, they all shared a pervasive fear for their safety at work. A 2015 survey by the Indian Medical Association found that 75% of Indian doctors have faced some form of violence at work. The West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front (WBJDF), leading the protests, is demanding improved security measures across medical institutions.
Hassan Mushtaq, a member of WBJDF and a junior doctor at RG Kar, criticized the current security systems, noting that many CCTV cameras are non-functional, leaving large areas unmonitored. “We need effective security, not just the illusion of it,” he said.
Fear and Frustration Among Female Doctors
Anita, like many of her colleagues, feels that the lack of security puts them at constant risk. “I can handle long hours, difficult patients, and the lack of personal life due to the demands of the job,” she said. “But I can’t function if I don’t feel safe.”
She described an incident where a male relative of a patient became aggressive and physically threatening because he felt the patient was not being treated quickly enough. “Security staff had to step in, but the experience left me shaken,” she recalled.
Rita*, another doctor, shared a similar story about a group of inebriated men who turned on her after their friend, who had been fatally injured, died in the ER. “I was verbally and almost physically assaulted. It was terrifying, and the security staff was overwhelmed,” she said.
The fear of verbal harassment escalating into physical violence is a constant concern for female doctors like Sita*, who recounted an incident where a visitor was caught secretly filming her. “When I confronted him, he became aggressive, and with no security around, it was the senior nurses who had to step in,” she said.
Anita emphasized the critical need for better security, saying, “This is a do-or-die battle for us. We cannot work under these conditions.”
Public Outcry and Government Response
The fear and anger are not limited to the medical community. Bonolota Chattopadhyay, 73, attended one of the protests with her son, expressing her deep concern for the safety of her teenage granddaughters. “If a doctor can be murdered in a hospital, how can I not worry about the safety of my family?” she said.
The West Bengal government has introduced a new initiative, “Rattirer Shaathi” or “Helpers of the Night,” which aims to create safe zones for women, including designated areas with security features and an app connected to an alarm system. However, the suggestion to avoid night shifts for female staff has sparked outrage.
Ruchira Goswami, a feminist scholar, criticized the government’s approach, saying, “This is not a solution. It’s a step backward for women in the workforce.” Anita agreed, questioning the logic of the government’s proposal in the 21st century.
Despite tougher laws against rape introduced in 2013, data from the National Crime Records Bureau shows a steady increase in reported rapes. Goswami suggests that this rise reflects both an increase in actual incidents and greater reporting, attributing it to a backlash against women claiming their rights.
As the protests continue, the demand for justice and safety remains at the forefront of the doctors’ fight. The hope is that their voices will bring about the change necessary to ensure that no one else has to fear for their life while working to save others.