"The brutal rape and murder of a doctor in the eastern city of Kolkata" Indian medical professionals are on strike across the country,

Indian medical professionals are on strike across the country, halting emergency services for 24 hours, to protest the brutal rape and murder of a doctor in the eastern city of Kolkata.

The 6 am shutdown will cut off access to elective medical procedures and out-patient consultations in the world's most populous country, the Indian Medical Association said in a statement. However, staff will continue to serve in the casualty departments of hospitals that deal with emergencies.

A 31-year-old trainee doctor was found murdered in a seminar hall inside a medical college in Kolkata, where she had gone to rest after a 36-hour shift. The post-mortem confirmed the rape and the victim's parents, in a petition filed in court, suspected that their daughter was a victim of gang-rape.

A hospital worker who helped people navigate busy queues was detained. However, an angry public accused the Kolkata Police of mishandling the case,

The city's high court transferred the probe to India's top Central Bureau of Investigation to "inspire public confidence".

Those in government hospitals across several states halted election services "indefinitely" on Monday, with multiple medical unions in government and private systems supporting the strike.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) stepped up its protest this morning with a 24-hour "nationwide withdrawal of services" and suspension of all non-essential procedures. "We seek the nation's understanding and support in this fight for doctors and daughters," IMA chief R.V. Ashoka said in a statement ahead of the strike.

The IMA described it as a brutal murder.

"The victim's 36-hour duty shift and lack of safe places to rest...the working and living conditions of resident doctors need to be thoroughly examined," the IMA said in a statement. The doctors are demanding the implementation of the Central Protection Act, a bill to protect health workers from violence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday demanded swift punishment for those who commit violence against women. Under pressure, the government introduced severe punishment for rapists and the death penalty for repeat offenders. A number of new sexual offenses were also introduced. Under the new law, officials who refuse to register rape complaints will now face jail.

Violence against women is happening all over the world. In European countries that claim to prioritize women's safety, women walking outside after work face violence. Knife attacks on young children have recently crossed the line in France and the UK.

There have been many such cases in Ireland recently. Recently, when a soldier assaulted a woman in County Limerick, even the court supported the soldier, and later the government intervened and sacked the young soldier when public outcry arose.

In Middle East countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, women are still weak. We have not forgotten the shooting of a female provocateur in Iran.