Kolkata rape: India doctors defy court order to continue strike

Organisers say while protests are happening across the state, the bulk of them are taking place in Kolkata.

The Indian Express, external reports that more than 300 rallies have been held in Kolkata over the past month, “many of these midnight events organised by women“.

Some of the protests have also escalated into chaotic political rallies, with police and protesters clashing with each other.

The doctors in Kolkata have often been joined by other health workers and people not connected with the profession as they shout slogans and sing and dance.

Behind them, there are several banners and posters seeking justice for the victim. Indian law prohibits naming victims of sex crimes so many protesters and news reports call her Abhaya, which means fearless.

Protesting doctors say that the brutal murder of their colleague at her workplace has shaken them.

Dr Bhattacharya says that earlier, when she was travelling to work, her mother would call to ask if she had reached the hospital safely.

“If I have reached the hospital, then I am fine. This is how we were conditioned to think,” she said. “So how can we go back to work knowing that people who have murdered our colleague might be roaming around free just next to us?”

On Wednesday, a state minister – West Bengal is governed by the Trinamool Congress party – alleged that the protests have been politicised by their rivals. But doctors insist they are not allied with any political party or ideology.

Dr Sumantra Dey said that the protests have participants from all walks of life as well as people from various political parties in their personal capacities.

“As of now, our mentors are senior doctors. We ask them what is the right path ahead, and we are choosing whether to listen to them as well,” he said.

This is a united front, he says, using a football analogy to illustrate his point.

“We might be Barcelona, we might be Manchester United but here we are playing for India.”