In the lead-up to a pivotal hearing in the Supreme Court, doctors in West Bengal took to the streets on Sunday evening, organizing a torch rally to demand justice for the victim of the horrific Kolkata rape-murder case. The medical community, joined by civil society members, marched in solidarity, condemning the brutal crime and calling for swift legal action.
The protesting doctors demand justice for the victim and better workplace protection after staging a 41-day stop-work protest over the incident. According to PTI, protests were held at several places, including south Kolkata's Jadavpur, RG Kar Hospital, Sagore Dutta Hospital, SSKM Hospital, and Calcutta Medical College. The protests, organised by the West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front, an umbrella organisation representing doctors from the state's medical college hospitals, also emphasised the need to eradicate the "threat culture" in medical colleges, where students are allegedly intimidated.
The doctors argued that the assault on three doctors and three nurses at Sagore Dutta Hospital proved that the government had not delivered on its security pledge, which in turn prompted the ongoing protests.
Speaking to the media during the rally, Dr. Subhasis Gupta, a senior physician at a leading Kolkata hospital, emphasized the need for justice and the urgency of addressing systemic issues related to women’s safety. “As doctors, we witness the trauma of such incidents in the emergency wards. We can no longer stay silent. We are here to demand accountability, for justice not just for this case, but for all victims of such heinous crimes,” said Dr. Gupta.
The torch rally comes just ahead of a crucial hearing in the Supreme Court, where the case is set to be reviewed. The state police have already arrested three individuals in connection with the case, but questions have been raised about the handling of the investigation.
As the country watches closely, all eyes will be on the Supreme Court today as it hears the case. The outcome of the hearing is expected to set a significant precedent for similar cases across India. Meanwhile, the torch rally by Bengal's medical fraternity is a stark reminder that the demand for justice is not just limited to activists but has drawn in professionals from all walks of life, united in their call for a safer society.
