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This move follows the horrific rape and murder of a female postgraduate trainee doctor at the college, which has sparked widespread outrage and protests across the country.
NEW DELHI: The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) has announced a nationwide suspension of elective services in hospitals starting Monday, August 12, in solidarity with the residents of RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata.
This move follows the horrific rape and murder of a female postgraduate trainee doctor at the college, which has sparked widespread outrage and protests across the country.
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Doctors across India are demanding justice for the victim, a 28-year-old second-year student in the respiratory medicine department, whose body was found in a semi-naked state in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College on Friday morning. The autopsy report confirmed that she was sexually assaulted and then strangled to death, with injuries found on multiple parts of her body, including her face, neck, and private areas.
In a notice issued on Saturday, FORDA stated, “As a mark of our solidarity with the colleagues of RG Kar, we announce a nationwide halting of elective services in hospitals starting Monday. This decision is not made lightly, but is necessary to ensure that our voices are heard and that the demands for justice and safety are met without further delay.”
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The federation has put forward five key demands:
1. Swift acceptance and action on the demands of the RG Kar Medical College residents.
2. Assurance that no police brutality or manhandling of the protesting doctors will occur, with their right to protest peacefully being respected.
3. Swift justice for the victim and due compensation for her family.
4. The Union government must release and enforce a mandated protocol for the security of healthcare workers across all hospitals.
5. Form an expert committee with representatives from the medical community to expedite the ratification of the Central Healthcare Protection Act.
FORDA also warned that if their demands are not met within 24 hours, they may escalate their actions, which could include a complete shutdown of hospital services. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also issued a strong statement, demanding immediate action and warning of nationwide protests if the demands are not addressed within 48 hours.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has condemned the incident, describing it as “gruesome and despicable,” and pledged that her government will seek the death penalty for the accused. She also expressed support for the junior doctors’ protests, stating that their demands for exemplary punishment are justified.
The police have arrested one person in connection with the case, and Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal has vowed to ensure that the accused receives the highest punishment if found guilty.
