Indian medical professionals have imposed a 24-hour shutdown of non-emergency services nationwide in protest against the brutal rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata.
The Indian Medical Association has announced a shutdown starting at 6 am, affecting elective medical procedures and out-patient consultations in the world’s most populous nation.
Hospitals will maintain continuous staffing of their casualty departments for emergencies.
A 31-year-old trainee doctor was raped and murdered in Kolkata, sparking nationwide protests and drawing parallels to the 2012 gang rape of a 23-year-old student.
Protests by doctors and women’s groups are fueled by anger over the ineffectiveness of strict laws in preventing increasing violence against women.
IMA President R. V. Asokan has repeatedly requested safety for women, who make up the majority of the profession in the country.
