'Couldn't Stay At Home': Doctors' Protest Continues In Kolkata Amid High Drama, RG Kar Victim's Family Joins In

Junior doctors in Kolkata, who are on a protest against the rape-murder of a trainee doctor in the state-run RG Kar Hospital, continued their protest on Wednesday, shouting slogans for justice. The doctors also demanded representatives from maximum colleges to be present for their meeting with authorities, and that there should be a live telecast of the same on media channels.

The protesters continued their sit-in Tuesday night, way past an evening deadline set by the Supreme Court to end their campaign that the state government says has disrupted healthcare services.

The doctors listed five demands for the West Bengal government’s consideration, rejected Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s invitation for talks, and sat on a dharna outside the Health Department on another day of high drama. Late on Tuesday night, they were joined by the victim’s family, who thanked them for their support.

The doctors took exception to the language of the email sent to them by the Principal Health Secretary, NS Nigam, to resolve the impasse over the RG Kar hospital issue.

Further, the doctors conveyed that although “doors remain open” for talks with the state’s highest authorities, they would continue with their agitation until their demands are met.

Also, 51 doctors, who were issued notices by the RG Kar hospital, accusing them of fostering intimidation and disrupting the institution’s democratic atmosphere, have been summoned to appear before an inquiry committee today.

JUNIOR DOCTORS CONTINUE PROTEST: UPDATES SO FAR

1. Protesting doctors on Wednesday shouted “go back” slogans as West Bengal BJP General Secretary and MLA, Agnimitra Paul, visited the area where the agitators had assembled. Speaking to reporters, Paul said, “I was coming to the BJP office when students asked me to go back. I assured them that I had come to the office. I salute them because they showed how movement can take place.”
2. Doctors have been protesting against the rape and murder of the doctor at the Kolkata hospital. On Tuesday, they marched to the Health Department in the state and listed their demands. They were also joined by the deceased doctor’s family members, who said they could not sit at home when such a huge protest for their daughter was underway.
3. At nearly 6.10 pm, the doctors received an email from the Principal Health Secretary. The doctors, however, objected to the language used in the email and called it an “insult”. The doctors also said, “It was not an official email, we are not in any position to officially respond to it.”
4. Trinamool MLA Chandrima Bhattacharya said his party was ready to allow 10 or more of the doctors to hold talks. He also said Mamata Banerjee waited at Nabanna until 7.30 pm to hold talks with the doctors, but they did not turn up.
5. Meanwhile, the protesting doctors said they were ready to hold talks if they received a positive response from the government on the five demands put forth by them. They also said they would continue their sit-in protests in front of the Health Department headquarters, and conveyed that although “doors remain open” for talks with the state’s highest authorities, they would continue with their agitation until their demands are met.
6. The RG Kar Medical College and Hospital had on Tuesday issued a notice to 51 doctors for promoting a culture of intimidation, endangering the democratic atmosphere of the institution. Those doctors have been asked to appear before the enquiry committee today.
7. The hospital authority said the 51 doctors have to prove their innocence before the committee. According to the decision made by the Special Council Committee of the RG Kar Hospital, access to the institution’s campus is restricted for those 51 doctors for now.
8. On Monday, the Supreme Court directed the protesting resident doctors to resume work by 5 pm on Tuesday and said no adverse action shall be taken against them on resumption of work.
9. Later, in an address, Mamata Banerjee alleged that the Centre was conspiring over public outcry over the incident. She also claimed that some Left parties were involved in it. Banerjee also claimed she had never offered money to the deceased doctor’s parents, dismissing a campaign that the family members of the postgraduate trainee were requested to accept compensation.
10. The following day, the Chief Minister invited the victim’s family’s ire after she said the people should focus on the upcoming Durga Puja festivities. The victim’s family questioned Mamata, saying, “What about our festivities when we have lost our daughter? Let her return our daughter. Would she have said the same had this happened in her family?”