India’s Supreme Court has mandated the creation of a national task force to enhance safety for healthcare workers following the “horrific” rape and murder of a doctor that ignited widespread protests and strikes.
The 31-year-old doctor’s body was discovered on August 9 at a state-run hospital in Kolkata, sparking national outrage over persistent violence against women.
In response, doctors’ associations have conducted strikes and protests in several cities, impacting non-essential services.
On Tuesday, demonstrators marched through Kolkata demanding “justice” as the Supreme Court issued directives in New Delhi.
“The brutality of the sexual assault and the nature of the crime have shocked the conscience of the nation,” stated the three-judge bench, describing the incident as “horrific.”
Chief Justice D. Y. Chandrachud announced the court’s decision to form a “national task force” comprising leading doctors to devise a plan for preventing violence in healthcare facilities and establishing an “enforceable national protocol” for safe working conditions.
The court highlighted the “serious concern” over the lack of safety norms and protective measures for medical professionals, noting that inadequate security is commonplace in healthcare settings.
The murdered doctor was found in the seminar hall of the teaching hospital, indicating she might have been resting during a prolonged shift.
An autopsy confirmed sexual assault, and her parents have petitioned the Kolkata High Court, suspecting gang rape.
Protests, led primarily by healthcare workers but supported by many citizens, continue as calls for improved safety measures grow.
The court emphasized that as more women enter advanced fields, the nation must ensure their work environments are safe and dignified, asserting, “The nation cannot await a rape or murder for real changes on the ground.”
