Tensions between the medical community and local authorities in Kolkata have increased as a result of a major protest by junior doctors. The protest revolves around claims that the police mishandled a case involving rape and murder. Following the sad occurrence at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where accusations were made against the Kolkata police for their handling of the matter, the demonstration got underway.
When hundreds of young physicians from different medical institutions assembled at the Kolkata Police headquarters in Lal Bazar on Monday, demanding the resignation of Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal, the protest got more intense. Since August 10, the doctors had been on strike, claiming that the police had not handled the RG Kar case enough. They requested a meeting with the commissioner or for him to attend their demonstration. Following the police’s cancellation of their protest, the doctors launched a nearly 24-hour-long sit-in.
When a protest delegation consisting of 22 members was granted permission to meet with Commissioner Goyal, the problem was momentarily addressed. Following an approximately 1.5-hour meeting, the group presented their demands for Goyal’s resignation. In spite of their complaints, Goyal did not adequately address the doctors’ concerns and stated that he had no intention of leaving until instructed to do so by higher authorities.
The police arranged for a bus to transport the protesting doctors to Lal Bazar, but they opted to walk the short distance instead. During the protest, the doctors even presented a symbolic human spine to emphasize their demands. This gesture was meant to highlight the perceived failings of the police and their inability to effectively address the situation at RG Kar.
Numerous politicians took notice of the demonstration. There were accusations of political meddling after a video of TMC leader Kunal Ghosh meeting with some junior doctors went viral. However, the doctors who were protesting denied any political meddling. Abhijit Gangopadhyay of the BJP encountered animosity upon his arrival at the protest location, highlighting the tense environment surrounding the matter.
As some TMC leaders made divisive remarks about the demonstrators and opposition personalities, tensions increased. TMC leader Atish Sarkar was suspended following public outcry after he threatened to make disparaging posters of anybody who were critical of the party. Furthermore, TMC MLA Arundhati Maitra came under fire for referring to the doctors as “butchers,” while Udayan Guha, the development minister for North Bengal, called for reprisals against the demonstrators.
Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the TMC, responded by pleading on party members to exercise their right to protest with greater humility and compassion. The case highlights the complex political and social factors at work, with the demands for justice made by the medical community drawing attention to larger concerns about accountability and transparency in local governance.
SOURCE :
HINDUSTAN TIMES
