LGBTQIA+ Community and Doctors Protest in Kolkata for Justice for Trainee Doctor
In Kolkata, members of the LGBTQIA+ community staged a protest demanding justice for a woman trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. A member of the trans community stated that the police attempted to disrupt their peaceful protest but emphasized that their protest would continue.
Another member of the trans community expressed outrage, stating, “I have come here to protest against whatever has happened, it is injustice for the girl…When the girl was raped and everyone was protesting on the roads no legislature had come out…When the public is in the problem they should have come…Rape is an unpardonable crime.”
The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with junior doctors and medical students holding protests at Mangalagiri AIIMS Hospital and Delhi’s Lady Hardinge Medical College. West Bengal Congress workers and ABVP workers also rallied against the incident and the TMC government of West Bengal.
In response, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) announced a nationwide withdrawal of services by doctors of modern medicine from 6 am on Saturday, August 17 to 6 am Sunday, August 18. IMA National President Dr. Asokan called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention and stated that they would be writing to him.
While emergencies and casualties will function, the IMA said that OPDs or elective surgeries will be suspended during this period. On August 14, a mob of between 5,000 and 7,000 people invaded RG Kar Hospital, attacked protesting doctors and medical students, and attempted to ransack the premises. Security officials had to disperse the crowd. On August 16, Kolkata police arrested 19 individuals involved in the mob violence.
The protests were triggered by the discovery of the postgraduate trainee doctor’s body in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College on August 9.
Doubts Revealed
LGBTQIA+ -: LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and other sexual orientations and gender identities. It represents a community of people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
Kolkata -: Kolkata is a big city in India, located in the state of West Bengal. It is known for its rich culture, history, and as a major educational and commercial hub.
RG Kar Medical College -: RG Kar Medical College is a well-known medical college and hospital in Kolkata, where medical students are trained to become doctors.
Indian Medical Association -: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) is a national organization of doctors in India. It works to protect the interests of doctors and improve healthcare in the country.
Mangalagiri AIIMS Hospital -: Mangalagiri AIIMS Hospital is a branch of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) located in Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh. AIIMS is a group of public medical colleges in India known for high-quality medical education and research.
Lady Hardinge Medical College -: Lady Hardinge Medical College is a medical college for women located in New Delhi, India. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious medical colleges in the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi -: Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. He is the head of the government and is responsible for making important decisions for the country.
