Kolkata: The protest by doctors in Kolkata, demanding justice for the trainee woman doctor who was raped and murdered at the premises of RG Kar Hospital on August 9, and safe working conditions for the medical fraternity, refuses to die down as they have called for a massive gathering at Dharmatala on Friday afternoon. The agitating doctors are also scheduled to meet Abhaya’s parents today as they remain firm on demanding justice of the deceased doctor.
Meanwhile, the ‘fast unto death’ strike by doctors entered its day seven on Friday after medics began their indefinite hunger strike on Saturday, October 5.
Further, The West Bengal Police on Thursday lathicharged the peaceful protesters, turning the strike violent. The confrontation escalated as Mamata Banerjee ’s cops resorted to a lathi charge against junior doctors, intensifying the already heightened tensions surrounding this incident.
Notably, it has been two months now since Abhaya, who was on night duty, was brutally raped and murdered and her semi-naked body was recovered in the seminar room of the hospital. As the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continues to probe to case, junior doctors in the Bengal capital are sitting on a ‘fast-unto-death’, seeking Justice for Abhaya. On Friday, the condition of of the the doctors deteriorated, prompting his colleagues to admit him to a hospital.
Doctors Protest: IMA Writes to Mamata Banerjee
Amid the ongoing fast-unto-death by junior doctors, the India Medical Association ( IMA ) has written a letter to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee , requesting her to consider and fulfil the demands of the doctors.
The letter reads, “It is almost a week since the young doctors of Bengal are on a fast-unto-death struggle. Indian Medical Association supports their just demands. They deserve your immediate attention. The Government of West Bengal is entirely capable of meeting all the demands. Peaceful ambience and security are not a luxury. They are a prerequisite. We appeal to your good self to settle the issues with the young generation doctors as an elder and the Head of the Government. The entire medical fraternity of India is concerned and trusts you would be able to save their lives. If the offices of the Indian Medical Association could be of any help we would gladly assist.”
The rape and murder of ‘Abhaya’ shocked the entire nation and for at least a month, doctors across the country protested, seeking ‘Justice for Abhaya’ and better working conditions and safety provisions for medical professionals. After the latest Supreme Court hearing in the RG Kar Case, junior doctors in Kolkata announced a fast-unto-death, to ensure their demands are heard and met.
