- Thousands of protesters in Kolkata clashed with police
- Protesters marched to a government building
- The doctor's half-naked body was found
Thousands of protesters in Kolkata clashed with police on Tuesday, demanding justice for the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a state-run hospital.
The discovery of the 31-year-old woman’s body sparked nationwide outrage and fueled calls for stricter measures to prevent violence against women.
Protesters marched to a government building, demanding the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
A hospital volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime, which has been transferred to India’s Central Bureau of Investigation amid criticism of the local police’s handling of the case.
The protests have been marked by clashes between demonstrators and police, who have used tear gas, water cannons, and batons to disperse crowds.
Namita Ghosh, a student, told AFP that the protesters intended to demonstrate peacefully before being met with force. Police have arrested at least 100 protesters for inciting violence.
Since the doctor’s murder on August 9, a series of protests have taken place across West Bengal.
The Reclaim the Night march on August 14 saw tens of thousands of women demand “independence to live in freedom and without fear.” However, some protests have escalated into political rallies, with clashes between police and supporters of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The BJP has accused Ms. Banerjee’s government of fostering an unsafe environment for women, claiming that such crimes are a result of the state’s policies.
The doctor’s half-naked body was found in a seminar hall at the hospital where she worked.
India’s Supreme Court has condemned the incident, stating that it has “shocked the conscience of the nation” and criticized the authorities’ handling of the investigation.
Ms. Banerjee’s government has announced several measures to improve women’s safety at workplaces, including designated resting areas and CCTV surveillance.
The tragic death of the doctor has led to increased public awareness of the issue of violence against women in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for “severe and quick punishment” for such crimes.
