Protesters block train tracks and buses in response to the rape and murder of a doctor in India
In West Bengal, eastern India, protesters took to the streets on Wednesday, blocking train tracks, halting buses, and chanting slogans in response to the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor. The protests, which have surged since the incident, reflect the deep anger and frustration felt by many in the state.
On Tuesday, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds that were marching toward the state secretariat. In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is currently in opposition in West Bengal, called for a 12-hour statewide strike on Wednesday, condemning what they describe as police brutality.
Thousands of protesters, predominantly BJP supporters, blocked roads and railway tracks and forced many shops to close. Authorities prepared for ongoing demonstrations throughout the day, deploying around 5,000 police personnel to maintain order and prevent further violence.
The protests were fueled by demands for the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Demonstrators, including many university students, are outraged by Banerjee’s handling of the August 9th incident, in which a 31-year-old doctor was brutally raped and murdered at a government hospital in Kolkata.
The attack on the doctor has sparked national outrage, drawing comparisons to the massive protests that followed the 2012 gang-rape of a 23-year-old student in New Delhi. Despite tougher laws, activists argue that sexual violence remains a pervasive issue in India, reflecting the need for continued advocacy and reform.
