India’s Supreme Court has mandated that all doctors participating in protests over the rape and murder of a female medic resume their duties by Tuesday, warning of potential “adverse action” for those who do not comply.
The nationwide strike was triggered by the death of a trainee doctor, whose body was discovered on August 9 in a classroom at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal. A police volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime, and the former college principal has also been detained for alleged corruption.
In addition to seeking justice for the deceased, doctors are calling for improved facilities in government hospitals, citing inadequate security and lack of essential amenities such as rest areas.
Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, leading a three-judge bench, emphasized the need for doctors to prioritize the welfare of the general public they serve. The court has instructed the West Bengal government to address these concerns by upgrading facilities, including separate duty rooms and toilets for male and female staff, and installing CCTV cameras.
Protests over the incident have spread globally, with the Indian diaspora staging demonstrations in over 130 cities across 25 countries, including Japan, Australia, Europe, and the US.
The Supreme Court, responding to public outrage, has also established a hospital safety task force to propose measures for safeguarding medical workers. Women’s rights advocates argue that this incident underscores ongoing issues of sexual violence against women in India, despite stricter laws following the 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder case.
