India’s Supreme Court has established a national task force of medical professionals to develop guidelines for workplace safety following the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a state hospital. This incident, which has ignited widespread protests across the country, underscores the urgent need for enhanced protections for medical workers. On Tuesday, the court took Suo motu cognizance of the case and announced the formation of the task force to formulate comprehensive safety protocols for healthcare facilities nationwide. The task force has been asked to give an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months.
The brutal assault and murder of the 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9 has intensified national outrage and highlighted ongoing concerns about sexual violence against women in India. Chief Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud emphasized the critical nature of protecting medical professionals, stating, “Ensuring the safety of doctors, particularly women doctors, is of national significance and a matter of equality. The nation cannot wait for another tragedy to take action.” The court has also mandated a report from federal police by Thursday on the status of their investigation into the incident. Additionally, it has directed the deployment of a federal paramilitary force to secure the Kolkata hospital after reports of unrest and vandalism by unidentified individuals.
In response to the crime, doctors and healthcare workers across India have organized protests, and candlelight vigils, and have been withholding non-emergency services to demand prompt justice and improved safety measures. The Supreme Court has advised all doctors to continue their duties. The accused, a police volunteer responsible for assisting with hospital admissions, has been arrested and charged with the crime. The incident has galvanized public demonstrations, with thousands participating in marches and rallies across various cities to call for justice and enhanced security in healthcare settings.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), representing approximately 400,000 doctors, has conducted a 24-hour strike and has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for more stringent protective measures, noting that women constitute 60 percent of India’s medical professionals. Activists argue that the current situation reflects a persistent issue of sexual violence against women, despite legislative efforts to address the problem following the 2012 gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old student in New Delhi. The 2012 case prompted the enactment of harsher penalties, the establishment of fast-track courts for rape cases, and the introduction of the death penalty for repeat offenders. Nonetheless, sexual violence remains a significant concern, with 31,516 reported rapes in 2022—representing a 20 percent increase from the previous year, according to the National Crime Records Bureau.
