Junior doctors in West Bengal have reignited their indefinite strike in response to the rape and murder of a fellow doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital on August 8. The strike, which began on Tuesday, underscores their ongoing demands for enhanced safety and security for medical professionals across the state’s hospitals and clinics.
In a statement issued this morning, the striking doctors expressed their frustration, saying, “We are compelled to return to a full ‘ceasework’ starting today. Unless we receive clear action from the government regarding safety, patient services, and the pervasive politics of fear, we will have no choice but to continue our full strike.”
The junior doctors have criticized the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for its slow progress in investigating their colleague’s murder. They lamented, “We have seen many times before that the CBI has been unable to reach any conclusions, allowing the real culprits of such incidents to go free due to delays in filing charges.”
The Supreme Court, which had initially sought to expedite the judicial process for the case, has faced criticism for postponing hearings and reducing the duration of proceedings. The doctors expressed their disappointment and anger at what they view as a drawn-out judicial process.
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Ten days prior to the resumption of their strike, the junior doctors had paused a month-long agitation after meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. They returned to work, providing essential and emergency services but excluded outpatient departments, while giving the government a week to address their concerns.
The decision to strike again followed an eight-hour meeting during which the doctors reiterated their list of ten demands, which included enhanced security measures, improved hospital infrastructure, and the dismissal of key officials, including the Health Secretary, over accusations of fostering a ‘threat culture.’ While the state has recently replaced the Kolkata Police chief and two health department officials, the doctors argue that these measures are insufficient.
In response to the escalating unrest, West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant assured the public that discussions with the junior doctors had occurred and expressed confidence that they would soon return to work. He stated, “Work is being done,” emphasizing that various improvements are underway, including the installation of security cameras and restroom upgrades.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has resumed hearings concerning the case, which has garnered national attention due to its shocking nature. The murder of the junior doctor has been compared to the infamous Nirbhaya case in Delhi, igniting widespread outrage and protests across the country.
The CBI took over the investigation after the Calcutta High Court intervened, leading to the arrest of Dr. Sandip Ghosh, who was in charge of RG Kar Hospital at the time of the incident. He resigned, citing “moral responsibility,” and is currently facing interrogation related to alleged financial irregularities. The prime suspect in the case, Sanjoy Roy, a civilian volunteer with the Kolkata Police, has also been taken into custody.
The killing of the junior doctor has sparked a significant political controversy, with the ruling Trinamool Congress and Chief Minister Banerjee facing mounting pressure from opposition parties and civil society activists to take decisive action.
