More than 20 Indian expatriates demonstrate to demand justice for murdered female doctor in Kolkata

Thousands of Indians living in 130 cities in more than 20 countries demonstrated to demand justice for a female trainee doctor who was sexually assaulted and killed at R.G. Kar Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, in early August.

Reuters reported that the case of sexual violence set off a wave of protests across India that has now spread internationally. Thousands of Indian expatriates rallied in Japan, Australia, Singapore, the United States and several European countries on Sunday, demanding that Indian authorities seek accountability and ensure the safety of women.

Dipti Jain, an organizer of the global protest, said: "The murder of a young trainee doctor while on duty is a heinous crime that has shocked every one of us because of the callous, brutal and disregard for human life."

There were protests in San Francisco and Dublin, California. Demonstrators in Dublin formed human chains, chanting slogans and waving placards reading "We want justice" and "Shout loudly for justice in the R.G. Kar case". Sukalpa Chowdhury, a 39-year-old doctor, called for greater workplace safety for all, including women, an issue close to every Indian's heart.

In Stockholm, dozens of women dressed in black gathered in Sergels Torg, singing in Bengali and holding up protest placards.

Sexual violence against women is frequent in India, where sexual assault cases are filed almost every day, and the trial process is lengthy, with many cases either suspended or dropped, or resulting in no conviction. A month after the Kolkata incident, police have arrested a male suspect, but the Central Bureau of Investigation, which took over the investigation earlier, has yet to press charges.

In August, the Supreme Court set up a special task force on hospital safety to make recommendations on measures to ensure the safety of medical workers.