At least 15 senior doctors from various state-run hospitals submitted their resignations on Wednesday in support of their junior colleagues’ movement for justice for the rape-murder victim from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Around 50 senior doctors, including department heads, had already resigned on Tuesday. On Wednesday, senior doctors indicated that their counterparts in other major hospitals might also follow suit.
Meanwhile, junior doctors organized protest rallies across Kolkata and visited Durga Puja pandals to demand justice for the victim. They stated that they would continue their protests throughout the festivities, voicing their concerns about the police’s handling of the RG Kar case. Tensions escalated during a confrontation with Kolkata Police near Esplanade.
Junior Doctors Demand Justice and Systemic Reforms Following RG Kar Tragedy
Police detained approximately nine junior doctors from a popular Durga Puja marquee. The junior doctors also surrounded the CBI headquarters in Salt Lake, expressing dissatisfaction with the chargesheet provided by the agency. They argued that the rape-murder of the 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar on August 9 could not have been committed by just one individual. The CBI’s chargesheet identified civic volunteer Sanjoy Roy as the main suspect.
The junior doctors stressed that their primary objective is to secure justice for their deceased colleague. They also called for the immediate removal of Health Secretary NS Nigam, accountability for administrative failures, and measures to combat corruption within the health department.
They have also called for the establishment of a centralized referral system for hospitals, the implementation of a bed vacancy monitoring system, improved workplace facilities, and increased police protection in healthcare settings.
Junior Doctors Continue Hunger Strike for Fifth Day
The junior doctors have maintained their ‘fast-unto-death’ for the fifth consecutive day. Doctors Snigdha Hazra, Tanaya Panja, and Anustup Mukhopadhyay from Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, Arnab Mukhopadhyay from SSKM, Pulastha Acharya from NRS Medical College and Hospital, and Sayantani Ghosh Hazra from KPC Medical College began their hunger strike on Saturday evening.
On Sunday, Aniket Mahato from RG Kar Medical College joined them. Additionally, two junior doctors from Coochbehar Medical College have also been on hunger strike for the third consecutive day in solidarity with their peers.
Dr. Punyabrata Gun, one of the joint convenors of the West Bengal Joint Platform of Doctors, stated that they will continue to support the junior doctors in their cause.
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