Protest continues as doctors awaits justice in Kolkata rape and murder case
Times of India | 21 August 2024
NEW DELHI: Doctors in Kolkata are protesting over the rape and murder of a junior doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.
Medical professionals, including those from the National Institute of Homeopathy, are demanding justice for the second-year PG graduate, holding banners and chanting slogans.
In response to this tragic incident, the Supreme Court of India has constituted a National Task Force to make recommendations on the prevention of violence and ensure safe working conditions for medical professionals.
Following this development, the Resident Doctors' Association of AIIMS, New Delhi, expressed their gratitude to the court.
"The Resident Doctors' Association of AIIMS, New Delhi, extends its sincere gratitude to the Supreme Court for its Suo Motu Cognizance and recent verdict concerning RG Kar MC&H and related issues. We appreciate the Court's attention to the pressing issues affecting our healthcare professionals," stated the association in a press release.
The Supreme Court's decision includes the formation of a 10-member National Task Force to provide recommendations on preventing violence and ensuring safe working environments for medical professionals.
Additionally, the court instructed social media platforms and electronic media to remove the name, photographs, and video clips of the deceased in the RG Kar Hospital case immediately.
A bench consisting of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, noted the publication of the victim's identity on various platforms. The court stated it was necessary to issue an injunction because social and electronic media had published the deceased's identity and images of the dead body after it was recovered.
The Resident Doctors' Association of AIIMS, New Delhi, also vowed to continue their commitment to patient care by providing OPD services from Jantar Mantar as a form of demonstration.
In their press release, they reaffirmed, "We appreciate the Court’s attention to the pressing issues affecting our healthcare professionals."
The protests in Kolkata and the Supreme Court's actions highlight the urgent need for measures to protect medical professionals and ensure their safety at work.