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A wave of protest has swept through the medical community in Kolkata, triggered by the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in August. The incident has sparked outrage and demands for justice, leading to a series of escalating actions, including a mass resignation of senior doctors and a planned mega rally by junior doctors.
On Tuesday, at least 50 senior doctors at RG Kar Medical College submitted their resignations en masse, expressing solidarity with junior doctors who have been engaged in a fast unto death demanding justice for the deceased doctor and an end to corruption in the state's healthcare system. The senior doctors' letter to the Director of Medical Education (DME) highlighted their concern over the government's lack of response to the protesting junior doctors and the deteriorating health of those on hunger strike.
The mass resignation at RG Kar Medical College was followed by a similar move by senior doctors at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, further escalating the situation. Senior doctors at NRS Medical College and Hospital were also reportedly considering following suit. The Joint Platform of Doctors, West Bengal, a collective of medical professionals, also pledged solidarity with the junior doctors, emphasizing their shared demand for justice and a systemic change in the healthcare system.
The junior doctors, represented by the West Bengal Junior Doctor's Front (WBJDF), had organized a mega rally planned for Tuesday afternoon to protest the rape and murder incident. However, the Kolkata Police denied permission for the rally, which was scheduled to proceed from College Square to Esplanade, where seven junior doctors have been engaged in a fast unto death. This denial of permission further inflamed tensions and highlighted the frustration among medical professionals.
The incident has exposed deep-seated issues within the healthcare system in West Bengal, ranging from alleged corruption to a lack of accountability. The mass resignation of senior doctors and the ongoing protests by junior doctors underscore the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for a comprehensive response from the state government. The future of healthcare delivery in the state hangs in the balance as the medical community continues to demand justice and reforms.
Source: Kolkata Doctor Case: Mass resignation at RG Kar medical amid protests for justice