Six junior doctors at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital have initiated a fast-unto-death protest, escalating their ongoing campaign for justice following the August rape and murder case at their institution. The protest marks another potential confrontation with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s administration.
The protesting doctors announced their intention to continue the hunger strike “for an indefinite period till we get justice.”
Delhi AIIMS doctors to join protest against RG Kar Horror
Their demonstration has gained support from medical professionals across the country, with colleagues from Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) planning to join through a candlelight protest at JLN Auditorium.
An AIIMS doctor, speaking to the media on Monday morning, expressed solidarity while acknowledging their limitations in joining the indefinite strike due to patient care responsibilities. He stated, “The country has seen junior doctors of Bengal striking for 50 days. The demands have been clear since Day 1 – justice.”
Doctors criticize CIB
The doctor criticized the slow pace of the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) probe and voiced concerns about the state government’s response. “Mamata Banerjee is not listening… she is just diverting the topic. Transferring some officials and not changing the ground reality. So how will doctors have a sense of security at the workplace?” he questioned.
The protests have highlighted broader concerns about workplace safety in healthcare institutions. The AIIMS representative emphasized, “It is high time that this ‘threat culture’ should end… not just in Kolkata but anywhere in India. If this is prevalent in any section of society it should end.”
The current demonstration follows a recent “ceasework” movement that was withdrawn on Friday. During that protest, doctors had limited their services to essential and emergency care, avoiding outpatient departments since October 1. The protesters claim the state government failed to fulfil assurances made during previous discussions with the Chief Minister.
Key demands from the medical community include:
– Justice for their colleague in the August rape-murder case
– Enhanced workplace safety measures
– Administrative restructuring to address the “threat culture”
– Increased CCTV surveillance across hospital campuses
The renewed protests coincide with another tragic incident in the state – the discovery of a 10-year-old girl’s body in a canal in 24 South Parganas’ Kultali. Chief Minister Banerjee has directed police to file a case under the POCSO Act and “ensure culprits get capital punishment.” The victim’s family has alleged police negligence in handling the case.
The police force faces mounting scrutiny over their handling of both cases, particularly regarding the delayed filing of cases in the RG Kar Hospital incident, which has drawn questions from the courts.
Kolkata doctors ensure patient care & treatment
Despite the ongoing hunger strike, the protesting doctors have assured that patient care will not be compromised, stating that while they will continue their duties, they will abstain from eating. They have explicitly placed responsibility for their health condition on the state administration.
The situation represents a critical juncture in the ongoing dialogue between medical professionals and state authorities regarding workplace safety and justice in West Bengal’s healthcare system. As protests escalate and support grows from medical communities across India, the pressure mounts on the state government to address these longstanding concerns effectively.
This latest development adds another layer to the complex relationship between the medical community and state administration in West Bengal, where previous protests have significantly impacted healthcare services at state-run medical institutions.
