Delhi doctors have taken their protest to the streets as their indefinite strike, sparked by the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, enters its fifth day on Friday.
Medical professionals, who had previously demonstrated within their hospitals, congregated for a major rally outside Nirman Bhawan, near Parliament, suspending all elective services across the city.
Nirman Bhawan, which houses the Ministry of Health among other key departments, became the focal point of the protest. Doctors lined the road, with a significant police presence and barricades separating them from the building.
Demonstrators brandished posters and chanted slogans such as "We want justice," "No safety, no duty," and "Awaz do, hum ek hain," reflecting their deep frustration and demands for enhanced safety measures.
Dr. Rahul, a resident doctor, voiced the collective anguish, stating, "A week has passed since this horrific incident, and our protest continues into its fifth day. The brutal rape and murder of a fellow doctor, committed while she dedicated her life to saving others, is beyond comprehension. Our demands are for justice and necessary protective measures; they are not just reasonable but essential."
The protest saw escalating participation, with more doctors arriving in large numbers, holding Indian flags and chanting "Humein nyay chahiye" (We want justice).
Meanwhile, a six-member delegation from the doctors entered Nirman Bhawan to meet with government officials, while the rest of the protesters remained outside.
The decision to escalate the protest was made just before Independence Day, following a joint meeting of representatives from various resident doctors’ associations (RDAs) including AIIMS, SIH, MAMC, RML, LHMC, UCMS, and DDU.
The RDAs agreed on a unified action plan to push for a central protection law, which they argue is vital for safeguarding healthcare workers nationwide.
In response to the tragedy, all RDAs have decided to halt elective services, but have assured that essential emergency services, including ICUs and emergency surgeries, will continue uninterrupted.
The RDAs stressed that the protest aims not only to seek justice but also to call for urgent action to prevent further violence and ensure the safety of healthcare professionals.
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