Thousands of people have taken to the streets in various cities of India, demanding safer working conditions for doctors and seeking institutional protections for women after a horrifying incident shook the nation. The incident involved the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at a state-run hospital in Kolkata, the eastern city of India.

Expressing their outrage, Devalina Bose, an intern at the same hospital, described the incident as "reprehensible" and stressed that women should not be held accountable for the actions of men under any circumstances. The victim was discovered lifeless in the seminar hall of the teaching hospital where she was employed, and subsequent autopsy confirmed sexual assault. Her grieving family suspects their daughter was gang-raped and has called for a thorough investigation.

In connection to the crime, a police volunteer has been apprehended, and five doctors at the hospital were summoned for questioning on Thursday. However, local officials faced allegations of mishandling the case, prompting the transfer of the investigation to the country's federal Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday.

The alarming rise in crimes against women in India has become a grave concern for the society. BBC reports that between 2016 and 2022, the number of reported crimes against women consistently increased, with the exception of 2020 when the country underwent a Covid-induced shutdown. Instances of kidnapping, abduction, rape, domestic violence, and assaults were most commonly reported, with numbers surging from 338,954 in 2016 to 428,278 in 2021, marking an alarming 26.4% increase.

However, it is widely believed that the actual numbers of such crimes are much higher than the reported statistics due to underreporting caused by factors including lack of faith in the police and social stigma surrounding victims of sexual violence. Rural areas face additional challenges, as families worry about their reputation within the community if a member becomes a victim of sexual assault.

Over the past decade, India has witnessed several high-profile cases that have further highlighted the urgent need for addressing this issue head-on. Earlier this year, multiple individuals were arrested after a Spanish tourist was gang-raped while camping with her husband. In 2022 alone, 12 people were apprehended following the gang rape, torture, and public humiliation of a young woman. Shockingly, that same year, a police officer was arrested for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl who had come to the police seeking justice for a previous sexual assault.

These distressing incidents have left a mark on society, with CBS News reporting a staggering 90 rapes being reported per day in India in 2022. The persistent increase in such heinous crimes has ignited public outrage, with citizens demanding swift action, stricter laws, and better protection for women.

The recent protests across India reflect the collective anguish and determination to bring about meaningful change. It is now up to the authorities to address these concerns, ensure justice, and prioritize the safety and well-being of all citizens, particularly women.