Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: ‘We failed her in life’: IMA chief pens emotional letter amid growing protests for doctors’ safety

Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: Indian Medical Association president Dr. RV Asokan has written an emotional letter addressing the growing protests for doctors’ safety following the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The 32-year-old’s semi-naked body was discovered on August 9 in the hospital’s seminar hall.

“We failed her in life but, we as a nation did not let her down in death. It is difficult to capture the mood of the nation. Anger, revulsion, frustration, helplessness,” Dr. Asokan expressed in his letter.

The incident has sparked outrage among medical professionals across the country. According to Dr. Asokan, the trainee doctor was on a 36-hour duty and had her dinner at 2 am before going to sleep in the seminar room adjacent to the ward. She was the only child of lower middle-class parents who are now inconsolable.

“For once, India understood her doctors correctly. She was on 36 hours duty. Had dinner at 2 am before retiring to the makeshift beds in the seminar room adjacent to the ward. Only daughter of a lower middle-class parents. The orphaned doctor nameplate at the entry remaining the vestige of the family pride. Simple archetypical Indian parents. Inconsolable. Lost the meaning and purpose of life. Innocent and naive with the trust like children. The streets were empty. Fear hung in the air. Few conscientious youth protested in a corner. Strange eerie silence,” he added.

Dr. Asokan noted that the doctors’ community has been deeply impacted by the tragedy and vowed that the Indian Medical Association will continue to lead protests nationwide.

“She had lit a million candles. Thousands of war drums reverberated. Every Indian family lost their daughter. Mothers boiled. Fathers wept silently. First out were the residents. Next seven days they never slept. Used to 100 hour a week. Their vigil and firepower the only hope of the nation. They chiseled the Resistance,” he stated.He also reflected on the legacy of the Indian Medical Association, tying it to the current movement for justice and safety.”IMA. Born in the fire of freedom struggle. The fire still burns. Conscience keeper to the profession. Rooted in all districts. Rearguards of the Residents. Anchors,” he said.

The Indian Medical Association, the country’s largest organization of doctors, has been at the forefront of demands for justice. On Saturday, the IMA organized a nationwide strike, suspending all non-essential medical services for 24 hours.

On Wednesday night, thousands of women participated in “Reclaim The Night” marches across the nation to demand justice for the victim.