In Kolkata, India, protests broke out demanding the resignation of a state minister following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor on August 9. The police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters, leading to a baton charge when the protesters broke through barricades. The attack on the doctor has sparked nationwide outrage, with calls for justice and greater safety for women. A police volunteer has been arrested for the crime, and the federal police have taken over the investigation. Junior doctors have been protesting by refusing to see non-emergency patients in many parts of the country. India’s Supreme Court has created a hospital safety task force in response to the incident. Despite requests to return to work, some doctors continue to protest, particularly in West Bengal. The protests in Kolkata and neighboring Howrah saw a deployment of over 5,000 police officers. The governing Trinamool Congress Party blamed the protests on opposition parties and affiliated groups. The main opposition party, BJP, has shown support for the protesting students. The state government denies accusations of suppressing the rape and murder incident. Calls for justice and safety for women continue to be at the forefront of the protests in Kolkata.
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