Junior doctors in West Bengal resumed their indefinite ‘cease work’ strike on Tuesday, protesting the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The doctors are calling on the Mamata Banerjee government to urgently address their demands for enhanced safety measures in hospitals.
Following a tense eight-hour meeting, the junior doctors outlined 10 key demands, which include heightened hospital security, improved healthcare infrastructure, and the elimination of political interference in medical establishments. The West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front announced, “We are forced to continue the cease work until clear actions are taken on safety, patient care, and the elimination of the politics of fear.”
The doctors voiced their dissatisfaction with the sluggish Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry and the slow judicial process by the Supreme Court. “The pace of the CBI investigation and the delays in the judiciary have deeply frustrated us. Despite our demands for immediate actions, the state government has not adequately responded,” they said.
Despite multiple meetings with top state officials, including the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary, junior doctors stated that their safety concerns remain unaddressed, with minimal progress on security upgrades like CCTV installations. They are also pushing for representation in hospital decision-making committees to ensure their safety and input are prioritized.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has intervened, ordering social media platforms to remove any content revealing the victim’s identity. Senior Advocate Indira Jaisingh emphasized the gravity of the case, pointing out that elected council members were present at the scene of the crime. The case will resume after the Dussehra break for further hearings.
