Kolkata 33 days protest: Mamata Banerjee invites doctors for talks

Hyderabad: More than a month after the brutal rape and murder of the 31 year old resident doctor of the prestigious R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, the protesting students have received an invitation for talks from the government of West Bengal.

The protests, which began soon after the rape and murder in the prestigious institute on August 9, have only intensified. People from all walks of life, healthcare workers, students, youth, workers and women have rallied across Kolkata demanding justice for the victim and stringent action against the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, the different doctors’ associations have expressed disappointment over the observations made about the protests of junior doctors by the Supreme Court of India. The organisations have also accused the government of West Bengal of suppressing the democratic protests across the state.

Protestors invited to talks

The chief secretary of the government of West Bengal has invited a team of 12-15 doctors who are continuing their protests, seeking justice for the 31 year old resident doctor. They are expected to meet the chief minister by 6 pm on September 11.

The doctors have received the mail for the talks from the secretary of health, while the protesting doctors are demanding the resignation of the secretary following the allegations of cover-up of the rape-murder as a suicide.

Swelling protests seeking justice

Following the rape and murder of the resident doctor, followed by alleged cover up by the hospital administration and state government, the protests seeking justice for the victim and speedy action against the culprits has swollen.

People from different sections, including women, workers, students, besides the resident doctors have only intensified their protests, despite the attempts to suppress the protests.

On September 9, a novel protest named ‘9-9-9’ was organised, where people across the city assembled at 9 pm for 9 minutes, seeking justice for the victim. Various organisations have been organising rallies and demonstrations against the state government for the past 33 days.

Doctors continue protest

The Supreme Court on September 10, directed the junior doctors to end protest and rejoin their duties, while advising the state government not to take action against them. But, the doctors have defied the directions and are continuing their protests.

Dr Subarna Gowswami, additional general secretary of All India Federation of Government Doctors Association (AIFGDA) said, “We are happy with the Supreme court giving a free hand to the CBI on taking action against the perpetrators. But withdrawing the immunity to the junior doctors on some conditions is disappointing. The state government has failed to fulfil their basic demands till now”

The court has also extended immunity to the peaceful protestors and hence the state government cannot exercise any powers on them. The different doctors associations have decided to continue their legal and democratic protests seeking better safety measures in the workplace.

“We are escalating our democratic protests on the streets. Our legal team is also exploring different possibilities and collecting inputs from various sources for the conduct of the case”, Dr Subarna Gowswami.

Solidarity of organisations

The senior doctors have extended solidarity with the protesting junior doctors, while the All India Dental Students Association (AIDSA), West Bengal branch, has expressed support to the protests.

In a press statement released, the AIDSA has stated, “In view of the recent developments in the case of the ghoulish rape and murder of an on duty doctor in the RG Kar Medical College, in the manner of a disheartening proceeding in the Honorable SUpreme Court and disappointing instructions therein, the All India Dental Studetns Association stands strong with the doctor with a common purpose of justice”.