Justice for RG Kar rape-murder: Junior doctors' 'fast-unto-death' protest marks 5th day
Times of India | 9 October 2024
NEW DELHI: The junior doctors' 'fast-unto-death' protest entered its fifth day on Wednesday, as they continued to demand justice for the victim of the RG Kar rape-murder case and improved safety measures in the workplace.
Doctors from various medical colleges and hospitals in Kolkata, including Snigdha Hazra, Tanaya Panja, Anustup Mukhopadhyay, Arnab Mukhopadhyay, Pulastha Acharya, and Sayantani Ghosh Hazra, have been participating in the hunger strike.
Aniket Mahato from RG Kar Medical College joined the protest on Sunday, while two junior doctors from Coochbehar Medical College have been supporting their colleagues for the past three days.
In an interview with PTI, Mahato stated, "We will continue this hunger strike as we promised. Some leaders of the ruling party are mocking our protest, but we assure them that our commitment is genuine. If they wish, they can come and see for themselves. We will not stop until our demands are met.
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The protesting doctors plan to distribute leaflets detailing their demands for justice at various Durga Puja pandals in the city on Wednesday and organize a blood donation camp as part of their efforts.
Dr. Punyabrata Gun, a joint convenor of the West Bengal Joint Platform of Doctors, expressed support for the junior medics and their willingness to resign to pressure the government into addressing their demands.
Senior doctors, who demonstrated their support for their junior colleagues on Tuesday, are planning another march from Karunamoyee More to the CBI office at the CGO Complex on Wednesday, urging a swift investigation into the crime.
The junior doctors had previously suspended their 'total cease work' on Friday, which had caused significant disruptions to healthcare services at state-run medical colleges and hospitals.
The junior doctors' primary focus is on securing justice for the deceased medic, but they have also put forth additional demands, including the immediate removal of Health Secretary NS Nigam, accountability for alleged administrative failures, and action against corruption within the department.
They are also advocating for a centralized referral system for hospitals and medical colleges in the state, a bed vacancy monitoring system, and the formation of task forces to ensure essential provisions such as CCTV, on-call rooms, and washrooms at workplaces.
Furthermore, the junior doctors are calling for increased police protection in hospitals, the recruitment of permanent women police personnel, and the rapid filling of vacant positions for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers.
The protests were sparked by the rape-murder of a fellow medic at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, which led to a 42-day strike that ended on September 21 after the state government provided assurances to address their demands.