Nationwide Medical Strike Announced Following Kolkata Trainee Doctor's Tragic Death

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) has announced a nationwide halt of elective services in hospitals on August 12 in solidarity with RG Kar Medical College’s residents, following the rape and murder of a female post-graduate trainee doctor. The incident has sparked widespread protests and political reactions.

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) on Sunday declared a nationwide cessation of elective services in hospitals on August 12 to support the residents of RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. This action comes after the rape and murder of a female post-graduate trainee doctor at the college on August 9. In solidarity, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, and associated hospitals decided to suspend elective services. Maulana Azad Medical College and its affiliate hospitals will indefinitely suspend all elective services starting August 12.

The incident has ignited a political storm in West Bengal. On August 10, Trinamool Congress (TMC) National General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee proposed an ordinance or bill to expedite rape trials within seven days. He criticised the politicisation of the issue and stressed the necessity for swift justice. 'We should bring an ordinance so that there can be quick justice in seven days,' Banerjee said.

On August 10, doctors at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bhopal held a candlelight march to protest the trainee doctor's death. Similarly, doctors at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi protested, demanding a CBI inquiry. Protesters carried posters and chanted slogans like 'We want a CBI inquiry.'

Congress workers in Kolkata also organised a protest rally for justice on Saturday. Earlier, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul and Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, called for a CBI investigation into the RG Kar Medical College incident.

(With inputs from agencies.)