In a powerful show of solidarity, hundreds of thousands of women across India took to the streets, holding candles and marching through the night to protest the brutal rape and murder of a young female doctor. The horrific incident took place at a Kolkata hospital, fueling anger across the country over the perceived lack of safety for women, despite the implementation of strict new laws.
The victim, a 31-year-old trainee doctor, was found dead on Friday inside the medical school where she worked. The tragic event has sparked widespread protests among doctors and drawn comparisons to the infamous 2012 gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old student on a moving bus in New Delhi.
Rinky Ghosh, a protest participant in Kolkata, expressed the fear and frustration felt by many, saying, “We have come here to demand justice because even I have a daughter. I am afraid to send her to anyone place… I'm afraid to send my daughter to study. So I'm here today because something… has to be done, this injustice has to stop.”
The young doctor had been resting in a seminar room after a grueling 36-hour shift when the attack occurred. A police volunteer was subsequently arrested in connection with the crime. In response to the incident, junior doctors across India staged sit-ins, leading to the suspension of all non-emergency services in many government hospitals.
The protests, dubbed 'Reclaim the Night', saw women marching across several Indian cities on the eve of the country's 78th Independence Day. The marches were a harsh demonstration against the safety issues faced by women in India, especially at night.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Independence Day, acknowledging public outrage and calling for societal introspection. He said: “As a society, we need to think about the atrocities being committed against our mothers, daughters and sisters. There is outrage against this in the country. I can feel that outrage.”
Despite changes in laws following the 2012 Delhi rape case, protesters argue that the situation for women has not improved significantly. Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt echoed this sentiment on her Instagram page, stating: “This horrific incident has reminded us once again that women disproportionately bear the burden of ensuring their own safety.” .
The incident has also highlighted the difficult conditions faced by doctors in India's government hospitals, who often complain of being overworked, underpaid and subjected to violence. According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau, crimes against women in India increased by 4% in 2022 compared to the previous year.
English 
Español de Venezuela 