Healthcare Workers’ Protest in Visakhapatnam Sparks National Outcry for Justice

Junior healthcare workers and medical students in Visakhapatnam persisted in their protests against the recent tragic assault and murder of a medical intern in Kolkata, as coordinated by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). They assembled for a demonstration on Sunday at the Gandhi statue near the GVMC in Visakhapatnam, marking the third consecutive day of their advocacy. Participants, which included members of the community and children, donned black attire to signify their sorrow and outrage over the incident. The demonstrations commenced early in the day with a gathering at RK Beach where supporters convened from 6 am to 8 am. The IMA has issued a call for these activities to demand justice and underscore the critical necessity for enhanced safety protocols for healthcare practitioners. Sivananada, the superintendent of KGH, voiced solidarity with the cause while ensuring that essential medical services and patient care would remain uninterrupted during the protests. In a gesture of unity, the protests are scheduled to continue on Monday, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan. The rally will underscore the imperative to safeguard women in the nation, especially in light of the tragic circumstances surrounding the Kolkata medical professional. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kakinada district president Ch. Ramkumar conveyed that the TMC government in West Bengal stands to be overthrown in the 2026 elections due to the appalling crime against a PG medical student at R. G. Kar Hospital in Kolkata, which epitomizes a severe breakdown in law and order in West Bengal. Alongside BJP senior leader Duvvuri Subrahm anyam, he addressed the media, drawing parallels to the impact of the Nirbhaya incident in New Delhi in 2012 that led to the downfall of the Congress (UPA) government in subsequent elections, hinting at a similar fate for the TMC. Ramkumar emphasized that all stakeholders, including the public, are holding the West Bengal Chief Minister accountable as she lacks the moral authority to govern the state following the assault and murder of the trainee doctor. Duvvuri Subrahmanyam advocated for an increase in the number of fast track courts for expeditious handling of such criminal cases, citing the dwindling patience of the populace due to delayed justice. Current statistics reveal that a single fast track court resolves 165 cases annually, yet only 28 cases have been concluded, leaving 2.43 lakh cases pending in fast track courts nationwide.