Doctors stage protest in Jammu against colleague’s brutal rape-murder in India
Jammu: Hundreds of resident doctors in Jammu staged a powerful protest, suspending their regular work and marching through the streets to demand justice for a young woman doctor who was raped and murdered in Kolkata, India.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the heinous crime has sent shockwaves through the medical community, with doctors across India and occupied Jammu and Kashmir rising up to condemn the violence and demand greater safety measures.
The protest, called by the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA), brought together doctors from government medical college-associated hospitals, who wore black armbands and raised slogans calling for justice and stricter punishment for the perpetrators. Placards reading “We stand in solidarity with the victim”, “No mercy for rapists”, and “Raise your voice before you become the next victim” were held aloft as the doctors marched from the Super Specialty Hospital.
The strike affected regular hospital work, but emergency services continued uninterrupted. Doctors spoke out about their fears and concerns, citing the lack of proper security arrangements and the frequent encounters with unruly visitors.
“We are not just demanding justice for our colleague, but also seeking assurance of our own safety,” said a woman doctor, who had not slept for two days since hearing the news. “We spend more time in hospitals than our homes, and it is the government’s duty to ensure our security.”
Anil Sharma, another doctor, emphasized the need for stricter punishment, including the death penalty, for the rapist. “We are providing healthcare to the people, and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure our safety at the workplace.”
The protest highlighted the vulnerability of doctors, especially during night shifts across India.
