IMA Calls 24-Hour Strike in Protest of Kolkata RG Kar PGT Doctor’s Murder and Hospital Vandalism, Essential Services to Continue

Healthcare services across India have been significantly disrupted as doctors responded to the Indian Medical Association's (IMA) call for a 24-hour strike. The strike began at 6 am on Saturday and will continue until 6 am on Sunday, protesting the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and the subsequent act of vandalism at the instituition. The IMA has announced a nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency medical services, including routine outpatient department (OPD) operations and elective surgeries. Essential services and emergency care will continue to function, the association confirmed.

The IMA has outlined five key demands centering on the welfare and safety of the doctors in the wake of the brutal rape and murder:

1. Legislation for Doctor Safety: The IMA seeks a comprehensive policy to tackle violence against healthcare professionals. It has proposed incorporating recent amendments to the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 into the Hospital Protection Bill of 2019. This, they argue, would enhance existing protections across 25 states. They suggest that an ordinance similar to the COVID-19 pandemic measures could be enacted.

2. Hospital Security: The IMA demands that hospitals be declared safe zones with robust security measures akin to those at airports. This includes the installation of CCTVs, deployment of security personnel, and strict security protocols.


3. Improvement of Working Conditions: The IMA calls for a major overhaul of resident doctors' working and living conditions, including addressing the 36-hour shifts and the lack of safe rest areas.

4. Investigation and Justice: The organization demands a thorough and timely investigation into the Kolkata incident and seeks justice for the victim. They also call for identification and punishment of those responsible for vandalizing the hospital.


5. Compensation: The IMA requests an appropriate and dignified compensation for the victim's family, reflecting the severity of the crime.


Protests have erupted nationwide, with doctors across various states joining the strike. In Delhi, OPD services have been suspended at major hospitals including Guru Teg Bahadur, Ram Manohar Lohia, and AIIMS. Jharkhand has seen participation from both government and private hospitals, with planned marches in Ranchi. In Assam, doctors at Assam Medical College and Hospital are staging a sit-in protest. Chennai and West Bengal have also been affected, with outpatient departments disrupted by boycott protests. The Chandigarh unit of the IMA has organized a protest march, and a large demonstration is expected in Bengaluru.

The IMA, India’s largest medical organization, is also advocating for improved security protocols in hospitals. They insist that hospitals should have comprehensive safety measures, including CCTVs and adequate security personnel. Medical student organizations such as the All India Medical Students' Association (AIMSA) and the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) have supported the strike. The nationwide protests follow previous demonstrations by medical students who staged marches and sit-ins in response to the brutal crime.

In Kolkata, doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital have criticized the police handling of the case and accused the ruling Trinamool Congress government of attempting to shield the perpetrators by destroying evidence. The investigation has been taken over by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following an order from the Calcutta High Court. The CBI has identified at least 30 suspects and has commenced questioning them, according to a report on Friday​