In a sweeping nationwide protest, thousands of junior doctors across India have refused to end their demonstrations following the brutal rape and murder of a fellow medic in Kolkata.

The protests, which have now entered their second week, have severely disrupted hospital services as doctors demand a safer workplace and a swift criminal investigation into the incident.

The protests were sparked by the August 9 killing of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Police have arrested and charged a police volunteer in connection with the crime, which has drawn attention to the persistent issue of sexual violence against women in India.

Despite the implementation of tougher laws after the 2012 gang rape and murder of a student in New Delhi, women activists argue that such incidents continue to underscore the vulnerability of women in the country.

Compounding the outrage, it was reported on Thursday that on August 8, police in Uttarakhand found the body of a young nurse who had been raped and murdered nine days earlier while walking home from work.

Sexual violence against women is a pervasive issue in India. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, there were 31,516 reported cases of rape in 2022, marking a 20% increase from the previous year.

The Indian government has called for doctors to return to work and has announced the formation of a committee to recommend measures for improving the safety of healthcare professionals. However, the protesting doctors remain steadfast in their demands.

"Our indefinite cease-work and sit-in will continue till our demands are met," said Dr. Aniket Mahata, a spokesperson for the protesting doctors at the hospital where the crime occurred.

Ineffective laws against violence toward women

The protests have gained widespread support, including from thousands of football fans who marched through the streets of Kolkata on Sunday evening, chanting "We want justice." Junior doctors in neighboring states such as Odisha, Delhi, and Gujarat have also vowed to continue their protests in solidarity.

Gita Gopinath, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, emphasized the importance of workplace safety in an interview with India's Business Standard.

She highlighted that ensuring the safety of women at work and during their commute is crucial for increasing female labor force participation, which stood at 37% in the fiscal year 2022-23.

As clinics and diagnostic centers remained closed, patients began lining up, overwhelming attendings and faculty doctors. Meanwhile, some patients were not aware that strikes had paralyzed medical services. One patient told a local television channel, "I have spent 500 rupees on travel to come here. I have paralysis and a burning sensation in my feet, head and other parts of my body."