Doctors nationwide protest Kolkata rape and murder with hunger strike

In India, junior doctors in West Bengal have been protesting for justice following the rape and murder of a female trainee doctor in August. The protests began with a cease work strike that lasted nearly 50 days, escalating to a hunger strike on October 5, which has now turned into a fast unto death after 11 days. The West Bengal Junior Doctors Association initiated street protests after the tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the victim was found dead and confirmed to have been sexually assaulted. The association has presented ten demands to the state government, with reports indicating that the government has agreed to seven of them. However, the remaining three demands require specific timelines for resolution, which the government has not yet provided. The Indian Medical Association, representing around 350,000 doctors, has shown solidarity with the junior doctors by organizing a hunger strike. The safety and security of healthcare workers remain a critical concern, as highlighted by the ongoing protests. The Central Bureau of Investigation has charged a civil volunteer linked to the Kolkata police with the crime, but the medical community continues to call for significant changes to ensure the safety of doctors in hospitals.