Resident doctors across several government hospitals in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, have launched an indefinite strike, demanding swift justice for the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata. The protests, which began with intensity, have spread across key medical institutions such as King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Kalyan Singh Super Speciality Cancer Institute (KSSSCI), and Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences.
Heart-wrenching scenes unfolded outside these hospitals, where patients, many of whom had traveled from distant cities, were seen banging on the doors, desperate for medical attention. Despite assurances from the doctors’ union that essential services would remain available, the long queues forming outside Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) suggested otherwise, causing significant distress among those seeking treatment.
“Doctors have the right to protest, but what about us? We have come from so far,” lamented Arun Kumar, a patient who had journeyed over 300 kilometers to receive care at KGMU’s OPD, only to be met with uncertainty and delays.
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Protesters, wearing black ribbons and holding placards, passionately called for “swift justice” in response to the heinous crime. They also demanded enhanced security measures for medical staff, underscoring the vulnerability that many healthcare professionals feel in their workplaces. Dr. Ritika, President of the Resident Doctors’ Association at KSSSCI, emphasized the urgency of their demands, stating, “We urge the authorities to conduct a thorough, time-bound probe into this incident.”
The protests were ignited by the brutal murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The young doctor’s semi-naked body was discovered in a seminar hall late Thursday night, sending shockwaves through the medical community and beyond. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, leading to strikes and protests at medical institutions across the nation.
In connection with the rape and murder, a civic volunteer who was frequently seen at the hospital has been arrested. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has given the Kolkata police until Sunday to complete their investigation, after which the state government plans to recommend that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) take over the case, if necessary.
