Thousands of young Indian doctors on Monday refused to end protests over the rape and murder of a fellow doctor, disrupting hospital services nearly a week after they launched a nationwide action demanding a safer workplace and swift criminal action.
Doctors across the country have staged protests and refused to treat non-emergency patients following the August 9 murder of the 31-year-old doctor, who police say was raped and murdered at a hospital in the eastern city of Kolkata where she was doing her internship.
A police volunteer was arrested and charged with the crime.
Activists say the incident has highlighted how women in India continue to suffer sexual violence despite tougher laws enacted after the 2012 gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old student on a moving bus in New Delhi.
The government has urged doctors to return to their jobs while it sets up a committee to suggest measures to improve the protection of healthcare professionals.
“Our indefinite work stoppage and sit-in will continue till our demands are met,” said Dr Aniket Mahata, spokesperson for the protesting junior doctors at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the incident occurred.
In solidarity with the doctors, thousands of supporters of the two biggest football clubs in West Bengal state marched through the streets of Kolkata on Sunday evening chanting “We want justice.”
Groups representing young doctors in neighbouring Odisha state, the capital New Delhi and the western state of Gujarat have also said their protests will continue.
