Following the Kolkata rape-murder case, doctors across several hospitals in India have launched an indefinite strike. The strike reflects widespread outrage and demands for justice, impacting medical services nationwide.

On Tuesday morning, resident doctors from Maharashtra joined nationwide protests by their colleagues against the rape-murder of a post-graduate trainee at a medical college in Kolkata. As part of an indefinite strike, all elective services have been suspended across hospitals throughout the state; however emergency services will remain unaffected. According to Dr Pratik Debaje, president of Central-MARD (Maharashtra State Association of Residential Doctors), this action has been taken in support of fellow doctors and their demand for justice.

“The cessation of all work at OPDs and elective services commenced from 9 am,” said Dr Debaje. “Presently, emergency services are the only operational ones throughout the state.”

On Friday morning, the lifeless body of a postgraduate trainee was discovered within a seminar hall at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital; it is speculated that she had been raped and murdered. On Saturday, police arrested a civic volunteer in relation to this devastating incident.

In a statement issued on Monday, the resident doctors’ association expressed that their resolution to suspend work was not taken lightly and deemed imperative in order for their requests to be fulfilled. The entity also encouraged MARD groups across Maharashtra to participate in the protest.

On Monday, resident doctors from various government hospitals across the country commenced an indefinite strike in objection to the occurrence at a Kolkata medical center. This has resulted in paralyzed services such as OPDs and non-essential surgeries.

FORDA prompted the commotion with its statement, insisting that “our demands must be met and justice served” before they would end their strike.