The brutal rape and murder of a junior resident doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024, has sent shockwaves across the nation. The incident has sparked widespread protests and demands for justice, highlighting the pervasive issue of violence against women in India.
The victim, a young woman pursuing her medical career, was found dead on the hospital premises, sparking outrage and calls for action.The delay in registering a First Information Report (FIR) and the subsequent handling of the case by local authorities have further fuelled public anger. In response to the growing public outcry, the Kolkata High Court took the unprecedented step of handing over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), a move that was widely seen as a necessary intervention to ensure a fair and impartial probe.
The Supreme Court also took suo moto cognizance of the matter, expressing deep concern over the increasing incidents of violence against women in India. During the hearing of this case yesterday, the apex Court raised questions about the adequacy of safety measures for women in educational institutions and workplaces, calling for stricter laws and regulations to protect them. The Court also emphasised the need for swift and effective justice in such cases to deter future crimes.
Kolkata Doctor Rape Murder: Nationwide Student Protests
Protests have erupted in cities across India, with doctors, students, and citizens demanding justice for the victim and stricter measures to prevent such heinous crimes. In Kolkata, thousands of people took to the streets, marching from the hospital to the state secretariat to express their anger and demand accountability from the authorities.
Kolkata Student Protests: On August 18, 2024, students from various medical colleges in Kolkata organized a procession demanding justice for the doctor allegedly raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. Despite heavy rains, the medics marched from College Street to Shyambazar, carrying posters and raising slogans for strict punishment and a swift conclusion to the CBI investigation. The demonstration follows an earlier protest on August 15, during which a mob vandalised parts of the hospital.
On August 15, 2024, hundreds of students, priests, nuns, patrons, and former students of St Xavier’s College, Calcutta, held a solidarity rally demanding justice for the young doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. “Nyayer khide (Hunger for justice),” read a poster held by Snigdha Mondal, a second-year multimedia sciences student. Several women who participated in the rally felt that “there was a need to react and raise our voices” at such a critical time.
On August 16, 2024, students, teachers, and alumni of Loreto College Calcutta and Loreto House School organised a silent rally. The rally began at the school gates on Middleton Row and ended at Allen Park, where the air was filled with songs like Aguner Poroshmoni and notes from We Shall Overcome.
Delhi Student Protests: On August 16, 2024, doctors and students from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, and other hospitals in the national capital protested against the rape and murder of a resident doctor in Kolkata. Some doctors marched from GTB Hospital to Swami Dayanand Hospital. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) declared a nationwide withdrawal of services by doctors of modern medicine for 24 hours from August 17, maintaining essential services while suspending routine OPDs and elective surgeries.
On August 20, 2024, the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) of India, along with its students and staff, joined protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. In a statement released on Tuesday, the YWCA expressed solidarity with victims of gender-based violence, particularly in light of the horrific rape and murder of a young postgraduate doctor in Calcutta. Highlighting the alarming frequency of rape, with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reporting one rape every six minutes, the YWCA called for widespread support in demanding accountability, systemic change, and enhanced protections for women.
Lucknow Student Protests: On August 18, 2024, doctors and students of Aligarh Muslim University’s Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College carried out a candlelight march and held a protest against the rape and murder incident Kolkata.
Hyderabad Student Protests: On the morning of August 16, 2024, around 2,500 doctors participated in a rally that began at Osmania Medical College and concluded at Osmania General Hospital. A large-scale protest was also held at the Osmania University campus, where doctors, students, and activists gathered to demand a thorough investigation into the rape and murder case and called for strict punishment for the culprits. On Tuesday, doctors in Hyderabad organised a candle march and performed a ‘Nukkad Natak’ (street play) to protest the incident at RG Kar Medical College.
Kolkata Doctor Rape Murder: Student protests from across the globe
The protests, spearheaded by student groups in the UK and Bangladesh, underscored the international demand for justice and stronger measures against gender-based violence. In the UK, the Students’ Federation of India–United Kingdom (SFI-UK) led a protest in Scotland, calling for urgent action against gender-based violence and submitting a memorandum to India’s Consulate. In Bangladesh, thousands of female students from Dhaka University, supported by public figures like Azmeri Haque Badhon, marched under the banner “Awaaz Tolo Nari” to demand justice and support for rape survivors.
London Student Protests: On August 20, 2024, a UK-based Indian students’ group, the Students’ Federation of India–United Kingdom (SFI-UK), organised a protest in Scotland and submitted a memorandum to the Indian mission in Edinburgh. The demonstration, held outside India’s Consulate, called for urgent measures to address gender-based violence following the rape and murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The delegation presented their memo to the Acting Consul General of India, condemning the brutality of the case. The group planned further protests, including a gathering in Liverpool on Wednesday, to continue advocating for justice and raising awareness within the diaspora.
Bangladesh Student Protests: On August 16, 2024, female students at Dhaka University organised a protest against the RG Kar incident. Thousands marched under the banner “Awaaz Tolo Nari” (Raise Your Voice, Women), gathering at the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture to show solidarity with rape victims worldwide. The air was filled with slogans like “Dhaka to Kolkata – We Want Justice” and “No Means No and Yes Means Yes.” Doctor-turned-actor Azmeri Haque Badhon, who joined the march, expressed her shock and support, stating, “Despite the tense situation in Bangladesh, I was compelled to stand up for justice.” The protest also aimed to advocate for rape survivors in Bangladesh who have been denied justice, calling for swift trials for the perpetrators.
The victim, a young woman pursuing her medical career, was found dead on the hospital premises, sparking outrage and calls for action.The delay in registering a First Information Report (FIR) and the subsequent handling of the case by local authorities have further fuelled public anger. In response to the growing public outcry, the Kolkata High Court took the unprecedented step of handing over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), a move that was widely seen as a necessary intervention to ensure a fair and impartial probe.
The Supreme Court also took suo moto cognizance of the matter, expressing deep concern over the increasing incidents of violence against women in India. During the hearing of this case yesterday, the apex Court raised questions about the adequacy of safety measures for women in educational institutions and workplaces, calling for stricter laws and regulations to protect them. The Court also emphasised the need for swift and effective justice in such cases to deter future crimes.
Kolkata Doctor Rape Murder: Nationwide Student Protests
Protests have erupted in cities across India, with doctors, students, and citizens demanding justice for the victim and stricter measures to prevent such heinous crimes. In Kolkata, thousands of people took to the streets, marching from the hospital to the state secretariat to express their anger and demand accountability from the authorities.
Kolkata Student Protests: On August 18, 2024, students from various medical colleges in Kolkata organized a procession demanding justice for the doctor allegedly raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. Despite heavy rains, the medics marched from College Street to Shyambazar, carrying posters and raising slogans for strict punishment and a swift conclusion to the CBI investigation. The demonstration follows an earlier protest on August 15, during which a mob vandalised parts of the hospital.
On August 15, 2024, hundreds of students, priests, nuns, patrons, and former students of St Xavier’s College, Calcutta, held a solidarity rally demanding justice for the young doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. “Nyayer khide (Hunger for justice),” read a poster held by Snigdha Mondal, a second-year multimedia sciences student. Several women who participated in the rally felt that “there was a need to react and raise our voices” at such a critical time.
On August 16, 2024, students, teachers, and alumni of Loreto College Calcutta and Loreto House School organised a silent rally. The rally began at the school gates on Middleton Row and ended at Allen Park, where the air was filled with songs like Aguner Poroshmoni and notes from We Shall Overcome.
Delhi Student Protests: On August 16, 2024, doctors and students from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, and other hospitals in the national capital protested against the rape and murder of a resident doctor in Kolkata. Some doctors marched from GTB Hospital to Swami Dayanand Hospital. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) declared a nationwide withdrawal of services by doctors of modern medicine for 24 hours from August 17, maintaining essential services while suspending routine OPDs and elective surgeries.
On August 20, 2024, the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) of India, along with its students and staff, joined protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. In a statement released on Tuesday, the YWCA expressed solidarity with victims of gender-based violence, particularly in light of the horrific rape and murder of a young postgraduate doctor in Calcutta. Highlighting the alarming frequency of rape, with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reporting one rape every six minutes, the YWCA called for widespread support in demanding accountability, systemic change, and enhanced protections for women.
Lucknow Student Protests: On August 18, 2024, doctors and students of Aligarh Muslim University’s Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College carried out a candlelight march and held a protest against the rape and murder incident Kolkata.
Hyderabad Student Protests: On the morning of August 16, 2024, around 2,500 doctors participated in a rally that began at Osmania Medical College and concluded at Osmania General Hospital. A large-scale protest was also held at the Osmania University campus, where doctors, students, and activists gathered to demand a thorough investigation into the rape and murder case and called for strict punishment for the culprits. On Tuesday, doctors in Hyderabad organised a candle march and performed a ‘Nukkad Natak’ (street play) to protest the incident at RG Kar Medical College.
Kolkata Doctor Rape Murder: Student protests from across the globe
The protests, spearheaded by student groups in the UK and Bangladesh, underscored the international demand for justice and stronger measures against gender-based violence. In the UK, the Students’ Federation of India–United Kingdom (SFI-UK) led a protest in Scotland, calling for urgent action against gender-based violence and submitting a memorandum to India’s Consulate. In Bangladesh, thousands of female students from Dhaka University, supported by public figures like Azmeri Haque Badhon, marched under the banner “Awaaz Tolo Nari” to demand justice and support for rape survivors.
London Student Protests: On August 20, 2024, a UK-based Indian students’ group, the Students’ Federation of India–United Kingdom (SFI-UK), organised a protest in Scotland and submitted a memorandum to the Indian mission in Edinburgh. The demonstration, held outside India’s Consulate, called for urgent measures to address gender-based violence following the rape and murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The delegation presented their memo to the Acting Consul General of India, condemning the brutality of the case. The group planned further protests, including a gathering in Liverpool on Wednesday, to continue advocating for justice and raising awareness within the diaspora.
Bangladesh Student Protests: On August 16, 2024, female students at Dhaka University organised a protest against the RG Kar incident. Thousands marched under the banner “Awaaz Tolo Nari” (Raise Your Voice, Women), gathering at the Anti-Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture to show solidarity with rape victims worldwide. The air was filled with slogans like “Dhaka to Kolkata – We Want Justice” and “No Means No and Yes Means Yes.” Doctor-turned-actor Azmeri Haque Badhon, who joined the march, expressed her shock and support, stating, “Despite the tense situation in Bangladesh, I was compelled to stand up for justice.” The protest also aimed to advocate for rape survivors in Bangladesh who have been denied justice, calling for swift trials for the perpetrators.
