Kolkata doctor rape: Nationwide Strike For 24 Hours By IMA?

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a nationwide strike for hours from August 17 to 18, in response to the rape and murder of the Kolkata junior doctor.

Nationwide Strike by the IMA:

In response to the violence and the death of the Kolkata doctor, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a nationwide strike. Scheduled from 6 a.m. on August 17 to 6 a.m. on August 18, the 24-hour strike will see doctors withdrawing their services across India. 

However, the IMA has assured that essential services, including casualty care, will be maintained. Routine outpatient departments (OPDs) and elective surgeries will be suspended.

The IMA's press release stated, "Doctors especially women are vulnerable to violence because of the nature of the profession. It is for the authorities to provide for the safety of doctors inside hospitals and campuses. Both physical assaults and crimes are a result of indifference and insensitivity of the concerned authorities to the needs of doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers."

Vandalism and Ongoing Protests:

The protest that happened on the night of August 14 at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital turned violent when a group of people began vandalizing hospital property, including the emergency ward. Videos circulating online depict a mob of people destroying chairs and causing chaos even in protest sites. This has led to suspicions that some may be attempting to divert attention from the core issues of the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case.

19 people have been arrested by Kolkata Police in connection with the ransacking of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital during a peaceful protest that took place after midnight on August 14. 

RG Kar Seminar Hall Renovation:

One of the many reasons people believe powerful people are involved in the crime is because of the seminar hall renovation issue. The seminar room where the junior doctor was raped and murdered have reportedly renovated shortly after the tragic incident, raising concerns among protesters about potential evidence tampering.

Sources say for a long time, students had been asking for a resting room for doctors, but no measures were taken. After the situation worsened following the death of a Kolkata doctor, the seminar hall was demolished. When authorities were questioned about this, they responded that they were in the process of building a resting room for the workers at RG Kar Hospital. This creates suspensions among the people.