Protests have escalated across India following a violent attack on the hospital where a female trainee doctor was raped and murdered in West Bengal.
The assault occurred during a Reclaim the Night march in Kolkata, which aimed to protest the brutal crime.
On Wednesday night, tens of thousands of women joined the march demanding safety and freedom.
However, the event turned chaotic when a mob stormed the RG Kar Hospital, vandalizing the emergency ward and injuring hospital staff.
Videos from the scene showed individuals destroying hospital equipment and furniture.
The protests spread to other major cities, including Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune.
In response, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a nationwide strike of non-emergency services starting Saturday.
The IMA condemned the hospital attack as “hooliganism unleashed on protesting students” and stressed the need for improved safety measures for doctors.
The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (Forda) has resumed its strike after initially suspending it, following assurances from Health Minister JP Nadda about new protections for doctors.
Political tensions have also risen in West Bengal, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) of orchestrating the violence.
The TMC has denied these allegations, blaming “political outsiders” for inciting the unrest.
The murder of the 31-year-old doctor, whose body was found with severe injuries, has shocked the nation.
A hospital volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime.
In the wake of this incident, two additional rape cases have come to light: a nurse in Uttarakhand and a six-year-old girl in Bihar, further highlighting India’s ongoing issues with violence against women.
