Kolkata woman doctor rape-murder: Undaunted RG Kar docs rebuild protest corner
Times of India | 17 August 2024
The reconstructed protest site at R G Kar that was vandalised KOLKATA: Junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College have picked up pieces to reclaim and rebuild their protest site that was vandalised by a mob on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. Pointing out that the attack was aimed at throttling the voice of protest for justice, they said they would not be cowed down by such threats.
As the doctors returned to their protest site on Friday-now reconstructed-with renewed vigour, they added a demand, that of the resignation of Kolkata Police commissioner Vineet Goyal for alleged police failure in preventing the mob attack.Top Picks For YouKolkata doctor rape-murder: Post-mortem report highlights brutal assault, confirms multiple injuries, signs of struggleKolkata doctor death: Who is Sanjay Roy? Civic volunteer arrested in RG Kar Hospital rape-murder case"It was a planned attack by a mob from nearby areas to silence our voice. We are convinced they have political patronage. We will not give in to such threats. It was a complete failure on the part of the police in preventing the marauding mob. We demand the resignation of the Kolkata Police commissioner," said Aniket Mahata, a PGT doctor at R G Kar. The general body of representatives of medical colleges in Bengal also demanded the resignation of the DC North, the OC of Tala police station and the current principal of R G Kar, Suhrita Paul, for the mob attack.
" After the heinous crime on our colleague, a mob was let loose on the campus. We will not tolerate such crimes. The vandalism has made us even more determined to continue our protest for justice and security," said a second-year ENT PGT doctor at IPGMER.
The mob attack prompted the tightening of security at all medical college campuses in Kolkata, with more cops being deployed and institutes stepping up vigil. "Who were the people creating the mayhem at R G Kar and what was their motive? That incident kept us awake through the night so that we could do whatever we could to protect our campus. It has added an impetus to our movement. We have faith in the judiciary," said a first-year gynaecology PGT student at NRS.
While the PGTs, interns and house staff continued to stay away from work, emergency and OPD services were run by senior doctors, including faculty members, a move that did have its effect on patient care services. But the junior doctors are firm on carrying on their protest. "Now, a cross-section of society is participating in this movement for justice. While there is still palpable tension on other campuses, especially after the RG Kar mob attack, we won't back out," said Sabit Hussain, an intern at Medical College & Hospital.