Ganesh Kendale
NEW DELHI: Junior doctors in West Bengal have resumed their indefinite strike demanding better safety and security at medical facilities.
The strike, which began on October 1, follows an earlier partial return to work on September 21 after a 42-day protest. The initial protest was triggered by the rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.
“We do not see any positive approach from the state government to fulfill our demands for safety and security. Today is the 52nd day (of the protest) and we are still being attacked and there is no attempt to keep the other promises made during the meetings with chief minister Mamata Banerjee. In the given situation, we are left with no option other than opting for full cease work, starting today,” said Aniket Mahato, one of the protesting doctors.
He added, “Unless we see clear action from the state government on these demands, this complete cease work will continue.” The doctors call for concrete steps from the government to address their concerns.
Meanwhile, senior doctors have also planned a rally in Kolkata on Tuesday, set to commence around 5 pm, with approximately 60 civil society organisations expected to participate.
Manas Gumta, a surgery professor from the Joint Platform of Doctors, stated, “The movement will go on in some form till justice is delivered. The rally on Tuesday will culminate in front of Academy of Fine Arts, where cultural programmes, like a street play on the heinous crime, will be staged.”
Another rally, organised by WBJDF, is scheduled for Wednesday at 1 pm and is likely to be attended by various organisations, including senior doctors and civil society bodies.
Earlier, Calcutta high court on Monday allowed a rally to be held in the metropolis by the Joint Platform of Doctors (JPD) on October 1 to protest the rape-murder of a trainee medic at RG Kar hospital.
Disposing of a petition by the JPD, Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj directed that a peaceful rally be held between 5 pm and 8 pm from College Square in north Kolkata to Rabindra Sadan in the south.
The medics’ platform, an umbrella organisation of the Association of Health Service Doctors, West Bengal, had made a representation before the Kolkata police commissioner for permission to take out the protest rally from College Square to Rabindra Sadan from 5 pm to 8 pm with around 50,000 participants.
