Kolkata is bracing for a wave of political protests and rallies on Friday, August 16, following the tragic rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The BJP’s women’s wing plans to hold a candlelight rally to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence, demanding her resignation over the incident and the vandalism that occurred at the hospital.
In addition, the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) has called for a 12-hour general strike in West Bengal on August 16 to protest against the vandalism and to demand the arrest of those responsible for the rape and murder. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will lead her own protest on August 17, calling for capital punishment for the accused.
Banerjee has urged the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has taken over the case from the Kolkata Police, to deliver justice by the following Sunday.
Despite the 12-hour strike, Kolkata Metro Railway has confirmed that it will operate normal services on August 16.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a 24-hour nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency services from 6 a.m. on August 17 to protest the incident and the subsequent vandalism at RG Kar hospital.
Key developments in the case include a silent candlelight march organized by the BJP Mahila Morcha in all district headquarters of West Bengal on August 16, with a specific march at RG Kar Medical College led by national leaders of the Mahila Morcha.
The Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association has also called for a day-long cease-work on Friday, condemning any attempts to hide evidence related to the case and demanding justice for the victim’s family.
In Delhi, Resident Doctors’ Associations (RDAs) will hold a joint protest march on Friday, and the Delhi Medical Association (DMA) will organize a candlelight vigil at India Gate. The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) is also planning a protest at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on August 16.
The incident, which took place on August 9, has sparked nationwide outrage and protests, with members of the Bengali film and television industry joining the demonstrations at RG Kar Medical College. The hospital campus was vandalized by a mob on Wednesday, prompting security forces to intervene.