Kolkata: The protests at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College show no signs of slowing down as doctors continue to demand justice for the tragic death of a trainee doctor, who was raped and murdered on August 9. The incident has sent shockwaves through the medical community and the country. Protests by junior and senior doctors alike have been ongoing, with demonstrators demanding a transparent investigation into the case.
Despite West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s repeated appeals to end the strike, the protesting doctors have stood firm. They have stated that they are willing to meet with the West Bengal Chief Secretary, Manoj Pant, but have requested that both sides be allowed to record the conversation to ensure transparency. In response, Pant has assured that both sides will be provided with signed copies of the minutes from any meetings held.
A joint press conference, held by the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front and the Resistance Doctors Association in Delhi, called for a fair and unbiased investigation into the death of the trainee doctor, whom they referred to as Abhaya. Senior doctor Rajesh Pandey emphasised that their top priority is justice for their late colleague. He also criticised the police’s treatment of those involved in the protests, condemning the questioning of doctors who have been peacefully demonstrating.
Dr Arisha from RG Kar Medical College questioned why crucial evidence, such as CCTV footage, was not handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and criticised the hasty burial of the victim. She also highlighted that an offer of money to the victim’s family from a senior police officer suggested a possible attempt to cover up the crime.
The protesting doctors have laid out several demands, including justice for Abhaya, the removal of incompetent health department and police officials, and safety measures for health workers in hospitals and clinics. They have also called for the installation of panic buttons in on-call rooms and the reintroduction of students’ union elections in medical colleges.
As the protests continue, there remains uncertainty over whether the doctors will attend the proposed meeting with the Chief Minister. They have expressed their willingness to resolve the matter but have voiced concerns about the safety of the working environment, noting that many issues, including harassment and academic threats, persist within medical colleges.
The demand for a fair investigation and improved safety measures remains at the heart of the doctors’ protest, and their determination to see meaningful changes has garnered widespread attention across the country.
Comments are closed.