On Friday, the junior doctors who had been organising all protests over the rape and murder case at the RG Kar hospital decided to end their walkout. On Saturday, they’ll be going back to work and taking care of emergencies. OPD services, however, will continue to be temporarily discontinued.
Following the rape and killing of a second-year postgraduate medical student on August 9 at the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, medical professionals had ceased work in protest. Following their meeting with Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister, most of their demands were granted, however the administration declined to remove the principal secretary.
The doctors quoted, “Will rejoin emergency, essential services partially at state-run hospitals in Bengal from Saturday. Will take necessary steps to provide medical relief to flood-affected people in Bengal. Our fight for justice has not ended.”
One of the doctors participating in the protest, Dr. Aqeeb, stated that they would approach the demonstration differently. He quoted, “On the 41st day of the protest, West Bengal Junior Doctors Front wants to say that we achieved a lot during our agitation, but many things remain unachieved… We made the Kolkata Commissioner of Police resign and the DME and DHS resign. But this doesn’t mean the agitation is over. We will take it forward in a new way.”
Aqeeb also adds, “We still demand that the principal secretary be removed and action be taken on threat culture.”