The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) plans to hold a peaceful protest on Saturday at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, demanding justice for the alleged murder and sexual assault of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.
Doctors across various states have been protesting, seeking justice for the victim, whose body was discovered in the seminar hall of the state-run hospital earlier this month. They are also calling for stronger security measures for healthcare professionals in response to this horrific incident, which has sparked widespread outrage across the country.
The case, which initially drew intense attention, has now been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following an order by the Calcutta High Court. A civic volunteer named Sanjay Roy, who worked at the hospital, has been arrested in connection with the crime.
On August 30, FAIMA’s Vice President and a senior resident doctor at AIIMS New Delhi, Dr. Suvrankar Datta, released a video message announcing a large-scale peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar on August 31. The purpose is to demand justice for their colleague in West Bengal and to urge the Central government to implement a centralised protection act for healthcare professionals to prevent violence against them.
Dr. Datta emphasized that the protest is a show of solidarity for the deceased and a call to authorities to strengthen security measures in hospitals across the country. “Before the Supreme Court hearing scheduled for September 5, I urge doctors to join us at Jantar Mantar from 3 pm to 5 pm. We want to demonstrate our unity and strength as we seek justice for our sister and demand better security across hospitals nationwide,” he stated.
In a related development, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Kolkata suspended the membership of Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, as the CBI continues its investigation into the incident.