Gujarat Junior Doctors Protest Against Kolkata Rape Case

Gujarat Junior Doctors staged protests on Friday in response to the heinous rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College in West Bengal.

The protests, which took place six days after the incident, marked the first time that junior doctors have called for a joint withdrawal of non-emergency services to advocate for the safety of doctors.

Solidarity and Demands for Safety by Gujarat Junior Doctors:

The All Gujarat Junior Doctors Association (JDA) initiated the protests, with junior and senior residents from 15 medical colleges participating. In a letter issued on August 15, the JDA expressed its commitment to the cause, urging members to show support by refraining from non-emergency services on August 16.

This protest comes ahead of the Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) nationwide 24-hour service withdrawal scheduled for August 17-18.

Dr. Dhaval Gameti, President of the JDA at BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad, emphasized the situation’s urgency, noting that students at RG Kar Medical College are being attacked and living in fear. He criticized the government for failing to protect doctors and ensure justice for the victim’s family. Dr. Gameti affirmed that protests would continue until significant improvements are made.

Nationwide Call to Action by IMA:

The IMA stated on August 15, highlighting the vulnerability of doctors, especially women, to violence due to the nature of their profession. The statement called on authorities to prioritize the safety of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers within hospitals and campuses.

The IMA declared a nationwide withdrawal of services from 6 am on Saturday, August 17, to 6 am on Sunday, August 18, as a protest against the crime and the mistreatment of protesting students.

During the 24-hour protest, essential services such as emergency care and casualties will be maintained, but routine outpatient departments (OPDs) and elective surgeries will be suspended. The IMA emphasized that the withdrawal would apply to all sectors where modern medicine doctors provide services, calling for national support and sympathy for the doctors’ just cause.

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