Political and social unrest grips Kolkata as various groups protest following the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College.
In Short:
- BJP Rally: BJP women’s wing plans candlelight march to Mamata Banerjee’s residence, demanding her resignation.
- 12-Hour Strike: Socialist Unity Centre calls for a statewide strike on August 16.
- Mamata Banerjee: CM to lead a protest demanding swift justice.
- Medical Protests: IMA announces a nationwide strike; doctors protest across major cities.
- Nationwide Solidarity: Protests spread across India with marches and demonstrations in Delhi, Mumbai, and more.
Kolkata is bracing for widespread protests and political rallies after the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College. On August 16, the BJP’s women’s wing will lead a candlelight march to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence, calling for her resignation over the incident.
The Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) has announced a 12-hour strike in West Bengal on the same day, protesting the vandalism at the medical college and demanding the arrest of those responsible for the heinous crime.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has responded by organizing a protest on August 17, demanding capital punishment for the accused. She has urged the Central Bureau of Investigation to expedite the case and ensure justice by Sunday.
Despite the strike, Kolkata Metro Railway has confirmed that services will continue as usual on August 16.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has declared a 24-hour nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency services starting at 6 am on August 17. This move is in response to both the attack on the trainee doctor and the subsequent vandalism at the hospital.
The Socialist Unity Centre’s strike on August 16 aims to highlight the need for justice in this case. The BJP’s women’s wing will also organize silent marches across West Bengal’s district headquarters in the evening. Leading figures like National Mahila Morcha president Vanati Srinivasan and Rajya Sabha MP Darshan Singh will be participating.
In solidarity, the Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association has called for a day-long cease-work on August 16. They denounce any efforts to conceal evidence related to the case and demand justice for the victim’s family.
In Delhi, the Resident Doctors’ Associations will hold a joint protest march on August 16, starting at 2 pm from Nirman Bhavan. The Delhi Medical Association (DMA) will also hold a candlelight vigil at India Gate at 5 pm.
The IMA has stated that routine outpatient services and elective surgeries will be suspended during the protest, but essential services will remain available.
Protests are also planned in Mumbai, with the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) set to demonstrate at Azad Maidan on August 16.
Even the Bengali film and television industry is standing in solidarity with the doctors at RG Kar Medical College, joining the protests.
The incident, which occurred on August 9, has sparked a wave of protests across the country. The brutal crime and subsequent unrest have prompted nationwide strikes and demonstrations by the medical community and various other groups.