In Kolkata, India, protesters marched demanding the resignation of a state minister following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor. The police responded by using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. The attack on the doctor has sparked nationwide outrage and led to calls for justice and greater safety for women in hospitals. A police volunteer has been arrested for the crime and the federal police have taken over the investigation. Junior doctors have gone on strike in protest, refusing to see non-emergency patients. India’s Supreme Court has created a hospital safety task force and requested protesting doctors to return to work, but some have continued their strike. The protests in Kolkata were led by university students demanding the resignation of the West Bengal Chief Minister. The police crackdown on the protesters was blamed on “lawlessness” by the governing Trinamool Congress Party, while the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has expressed support for the protesters. The state government denies trying to suppress the rape and murder incident. Overall, the situation continues to be tense as protests and demands for justice and accountability persist.
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Indian police use tear gas to disperse hundreds protesting over rape and murder of Kolkata doctor
