Nationwide Protests Erupt Over Kolkata Doctor's Rape and Murder: Calls for Mamata Banerjee's Resignation Intensify

Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje has criticized West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for her delayed response to the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata. The tragedy has sparked nationwide protests, leading to calls for Banerjee's resignation and a 24-hour strike by the Indian Medical Association.

Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje on Saturday criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her delayed response to the rape and murder case at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Karandlaje condemned Banerjee's silence for several days and demanded her resignation.

'This case is very sad. The Criminal Amendment Bill was passed in the parliament but many states did not implement it... At the time of the Sandeshkhali incident, Mamata Banerjee should have fought against it but she supported the criminals. Because of this, people got the courage to commit such incidents in college...Even in this case, Mamata Banerjee remained silent for 3-4 days... After the court's intervention, the case was given to the CBI. We all demand that Mamata Banerjee should resign and there should be justice in this case,' Karandlaje told ANI. Earlier, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, along with BJP women workers, staged a protest in Bengaluru over the Kolkata doctor rape-murder.

The rape and murder of the trainee doctor have sparked nationwide outrage, with junior doctors and medical students from AIIMS Mangalagiri and Delhi’s Lady Hardinge Medical College holding protests demanding justice for the victim. West Bengal Congress workers and members of the LGBTQIA+ community also rallied, condemning the incident and the TMC government's handling of it.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) announced a nationwide withdrawal of services by modern medicine doctors from 6 am on Saturday, August 17 to 6 am Sunday, August 18, in response to the incident. IMA National President Dr. Asokan called for PM Narendra Modi's intervention and stated that the association would be writing to the Prime Minister. While emergencies and casualties will remain operational, outpatient departments (OPDs) and elective surgeries will be suspended during the 24-hour strike.

On August 14, a mob of between 5,000 and 7,000 people invaded RG Kar Hospital, attacking doctors and medical students and attempting to ransack the premises. Security personnel had to disperse the crowd. On August 16, Kolkata police reported the arrest of 19 individuals allegedly involved in the violence.

On August 9, a postgraduate trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, triggering a wave of protests by doctors and medical personnel across India.