KATHMANDU: India's Supreme Court has ordered the establishment of a national task force of doctors to recommend measures for improving safety in their workplaces. This directive follows widespread protests triggered by the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at a Kolkata hospital on August 9. The court also demanded a federal police report on the status of the investigation into the crime, which has stirred nationwide outrage.
In response to the tragic event, doctors across India have engaged in protests, including refusing to see non-emergency patients, to highlight their concerns about workplace safety and to press for a rapid and thorough investigation. The protests reflect broader concerns about the safety of medical professionals and the need for systemic changes.
The accused, a police volunteer, has been arrested and charged in connection with the crime. Women activists have pointed out that this incident underscores ongoing issues of sexual violence against women in India, despite stricter laws implemented after the 2012 gang rape and murder of a student in New Delhi.
