The recent developments in the Kolkota doctors’ strike have brought about a significant shift in the ongoing protest.
After a meeting with the protesting junior doctors, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has agreed to three of the five demands put forth by the doctors, marking a potential breakthrough in the impasse.
The removal of two top officials of the health department and the Chief of Kolkata police has been confirmed, along with the decision to remove the police chief of the city’s north zone – the location where the tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College took place. Despite this progress, the protest and the ceasework are anticipated to persist until formal orders are issued in the morning.
The announcement of these concessions is perceived as a significant step towards addressing the doctors’ grievances.
The atmosphere at the protest site following the announcement was described as festive, with the junior doctors hailing the state’s acceptance of their demands as a “big victory” after their 38-day protest. Additionally, Mamata Banerjee has acknowledged the demands for an upgrade in hospital infrastructure and has allocated ₹100 crore for this purpose. Regarding the removal of the two health officials, Banerjee mentioned that they would be transferred to suitable positions.
The tragic incident that triggered this wave of protests was the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at the Kolkata hospital on August 9.
The arrest of the prime suspect, Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police who had access to all hospital departments, has raised numerous unanswered questions.
The investigation into the case has been marred by allegations of distorted versions of events conveyed to the parents, including the erroneous claim that their daughter had died by suicide. Furthermore, there were allegations of police coercion leading to the cremation of the victim despite the parents’ reluctance, and reports of an officer attempting to bribe the family to bury the case.
The broader context of the situation is marked by additional concerning events, including the construction near the site of the crime, a mob attack on protesters at RG Kar Hospital, and the swift transfer of the hospital’s former Principal Sandip Ghosh to a prominent hospital shortly after he submitted his resignation.
The developments in response to the doctors’ demands and the ongoing investigations into the tragic incident highlight the complex and sensitive nature of the issues at hand.
The recent concessions by the state authorities represent a potential turning point in the Kolkota doctors’ strike, but the continuation of the protest until formal orders are issued underscores the significance of ensuring that the promises made are effectively implemented.
The broader implications of these developments extend beyond the immediate resolution of the doctors’ demands and underscore the need for comprehensive measures to address the underlying issues and concerns raised by the medical community in Kolkata.
SURAJ BNANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
