The Indian Medical Association (IMA), along with the IMA - Junior Doctors’ Network (IMA-JDN) and the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), has announced a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Saturday, August 31.
The protest is in response to the recent rape and murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal. The demonstrators are demanding the enactment of the Central Healthcare Protection Act (CHPA) to safeguard healthcare workers against violence while on duty.
The CHPA has gained significant attention due to the increasing number of violent incidents targeting healthcare professionals across the country. The act seeks to provide legal protection and ensure a safer working environment for medical professionals.
Meanwhile, Kolkata is set to witness more rallies and demonstrations following the recent Nabanna Abhijan organized by the student group Paschimbanga Chhatra Samaj on August 27 and the 12-hour Bengal Bandh called by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Various political parties and civil society organizations are expected to join these protests.
The medical fraternity nationwide has been actively protesting the heinous incident, demanding justice for the deceased doctor. However, on August 22, during the second day of the case hearing, the Supreme Court urged doctors to resume their duties, emphasizing that "justice and medicine cannot go on strike." This statement came after widespread protests by hospitals and medical colleges across India.