A Nation's Cry for Justice: Protests Erupt Across India After Doctor's Rape and Murder
Amidst Independence Day celebrations, thousands march to demand safety for women and an end to violence.
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기사입력 : 2024.08.16 00:29
Thousands of people took to the streets across India to protest the horrific rape and murder of a young doctor inside a government hospital, demanding immediate action to ensure the safety of women. As the country prepared to celebrate its Independence Day on Thursday, August 15, candlelight vigils and rallies were held in nearly 100 locations, turning the midnight air into a collective cry for justice.
The crime, which occurred last Friday, has sparked nationwide outrage. A 31-year-old trainee doctor, exhausted after a grueling 36-hour shift, was attacked while resting inside the R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata. Her brutal rape and murder have triggered widespread protests, drawing chilling parallels to the infamous 2012 gang rape and killing of a 23-year-old student on a bus in New Delhi—a tragedy that ignited a global conversation about violence against women in India.
"We are here because we demand justice," said Rinky Gosh, a protester in Kolkata, her voice echoing the sentiments of many. "I have a daughter, and I fear for her safety. I fear sending her anywhere, even to study. This injustice must end."
The anger was palpable as around 40 protesters stormed the hospital where the crime occurred, clashing with police who responded by deploying tear gas. The doctor, having no access to dormitories or proper rest facilities, had laid down on a simple piece of carpet in a seminar room to rest. She was found dead the following day, her body bearing the harrowing signs of the attack. The police quickly arrested a volunteer who had been stationed near the hospital.
Doctors and medical students across India have also joined the movement, halting services in hospitals, except for emergency departments, in a show of solidarity and grief. Sit-ins and peaceful demonstrations have been held, with protestors demanding better safety measures for women, especially those working late at night.
The victim's post-mortem report, dated August 9, described horrifying details—her body had injuries on her legs, stomach, ankles, and right arm, and she was bleeding from her eyes and mouth.
Marches under the slogan "We Demand Night" have been held across India since Wednesday midnight, on the eve of the country’s 78th Independence Anniversary. The protests emphasize the vulnerability women face, particularly at night, calling for systemic changes to ensure their safety.
"As a society, we must reflect on the atrocities committed against our mothers, daughters, and sisters. There is a wave of anger across the nation. I feel it deeply," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address, acknowledging the rising public frustration.
India finds itself once again at a crossroads, as its people, driven by pain and frustration, rise to demand an end to the violence that continues to plague women. The streets are alive not with celebrations, but with a fierce call for justice, reform, and change.
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