Justice delayed is justice denied. We stand proud as strong and dynamic women of Indian origin, but our heads hang in shame today. Shame that we need to raise a voice, a war cry, for something so heinous that it sends a chill right to our bones. We all qualified as doctors, mostly in India, and now work as leaders in our own fields all across the globe. We are respected and stand tall and proud as daughters, sisters, wives, mothers and friends of South Asian origin. We were once that hard working young doctor trying to establish ourselves and further ourselves. But not at the cost of what one young doctor had to pay on the grim night. She was brutalized and barbarically raped and killed in a place where people go to heal. She worked in Kolkata, India considered by most as the cultural capital of beautiful India. There is nothing cultural or beautiful that has now revealed itself in front of us and we feel moved and compelled to say something. When did the doctor who has worked for 36 hours straight, agree in her oath, that she could be used, abused and disposed of. We take center stage to present some of our views here. The space where we can pen this is but small, and the names mentioned are only few. However, our feelings have no bounds, we weep at what is happening and on the eve of the 78th year of Independence of our young and dynamic country we implore that every person that can think for themselves, do that, and say something, and thus join us to raise our roar in protest …says Dr Gauri Batra Consultant Pediatric and Perinatal Pathologist Manchester UK

We have worked in those spaces fearlessly just 30 years ago. The shield of white clinical apron was like a “Lakshman Rekha “where everyone called us “Daktar Didi “ How did the attitudes change so drastically that no space is deemed safe for kids and women now More needs to be done by each and every member of our fraternity We stand in solidarity for our fraternity, for sisterhood for our future generations safety .. comments Dr Dipti Jain Geriatrician; Lead for Pan UK Asian Doctors; Chairperson, Medicos Women Charity Organisation; and Chairperson, British Women in Sarees, Brighton UK.

A few small words from our community: “Rabindranath said- Rekhecho Bangali kore Manush koroni Eibaar to Manush hou. Let us please be human for once!
….Dr Soumita Adhikary, Pediatrician, Sutton Coldfield

“??Goddess ??? In the land of goddess, a goddess stays slayed! In the land of shakti she lies powerless, be it doctor, engineer, housewife or any girl in society today. Wake that anger to destroy the evil Laments Dr Vinita Shrivastava, Developmental pediatric Dubai /UK”
“Justice for the victim and for the safety of young professionals and young women at work! Debjani Banerjee, New Jersey, USA”
“United we shall fight and we will win the evils …until then there is no justice for Abhaya…remember Mahabharata happened for Draupadi’s cheerharan says Dr Sudipta Sen, Pediatrician London”.

It highlights the erosion of morality and values. It shows how little care and concern is shared about the most hardworking section of our health service. It is time for the Government, Medical Societies and the Medical Council to take a deep look at how leaders are held accountable, establish a transparent governance process, overhaul all corrupt influences and start afresh, says Professor Suparna Dasgupta, Manchester

“How many nights I have spent in the hospital “alone” while being on call or travelled home “alone” in the deepest, darkest hours of night but never felt unsafe. We need investment into changing the infrastructure to ensure workspace safety”, says Dr Sonela Basak from Cambridge, UK.

“If this is not investigated on a war footing and justice dealt out appropriately and swiftly, then the whole nation has failed womenkind all over. This is a crime not just against a doctor, but against humanity. In this age of technology, a leading government hospital needs to think beyond just a temporary CCTV.” Dr Chetana Sen, Specialist in Stroke and Neurology, University Hospital of North Durham, UK, says.
“No more silence, no more fear. We demand safety here for our female physicians. Safety is our right . Accountability for all! Find the perpetrators and punish them. Her voice was silenced, but ours will roar for justice!”, says Dr Panchali from New Jersey
“ May justice prevail and every demon responsible for this heinous crime be named , shamed & strongly punished . Let’s remember this beautiful soul as a hero who bravely battled injustice and crime till the end . Respect !” 🙏🏻 Dr Kiran Chitale Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, London.
“Our doctors’ community in California stands resolutely against all forms of violence, and we are determined to honor the memory of our colleagues by fostering an environment of safety and support for everyone. We will not rest until justice is served and our community is safe from such senseless violence”, Dr. Salma Khan, Associate Professor Loma Linda USA said.
“Pray that Mahisasuramordini (Goddess Durga) appears on earth to punish the culprits”, says Dr Tina Dutta Gupta, GP/Psych, London.
“ Let there be systems in place how young 18-year-olds entering the profession can raise their voice against injustice and feel safe in workplace”, says Dr Sulagna Chakrabarti, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, London.

“The recent unfortunate incident in RG Kar hospital Kolkata has once again raised the ever-persisting issue of pathetic working conditions and safety and security of junior doctors”, says Dr Sarmistha Gupta, Consultant Radiologist, Dubai, UAE. “The heinous crime brutally raped and killed is a reflection of worsening conditions for physicians working in India. “
“I support the movements by medical trainees in India.” Dr Deepu Mirchandani, Retired medical oncologist and clinical researcher (BC Cancer, Canada) said.
“The city that once gave me so much has become a place where monsters are harbored, nurtured, and even empowered within the very institutions meant to protect us—our educational centers Their negligence is a tragic betrayal. I pray that those monsters responsible for her death are found and face the full weight of justice”, says Dr Queenie Decosta, USA.
“ Let us all raise our voice in strong protest. My sincere condolences and apologies to the parents of the young lady… we failed you all”, laments Dr Chandrani Biswas, ENT specialist, Birmingham.
“History repeats itself, goes the saying…… well, it does …. men are literally going back to barbarism ….. I am sure postmortem report would be evidence enough for any appropriate capital punishment”, says Hima Hoskote, London.

“I never felt unsafe in the hospital when I used to work but times have changed which demands in-depth understanding and bringing in the change to secure our girls in India”, Dr. Garima Agrawal MD, Peoria, IL USA said.
“Kolkata, once the city of joy is today turned into city of pain and crime. We need to protest in one voice and continue to protest till change occurs. May the deceased young lady’s soul find peace and may her family find the strength and courage to bear their irreparable loss” said Dr Rina Mukherjee, Germany.
(Dr Dipti Jain is a Geriatrician. She is Lead for Pan UK Asian Doctors, Chairperson, Medicos Women Charity Organisation, and Chairperson British Women in Sarees Brighton UK)