Kolkata Police has denied permission to the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Forum (WBJDF) for their proposed sit-in and fast-unto-death protest scheduled at Esplanade, central Kolkata. The protest was planned by junior doctors in response to the rape and murder of a junior doctor from R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital.
On Friday evening, the junior doctors had announced their plan to switch from a cease-work agitation to a fast-unto-death demonstration if nine out of their ten demands were not met by the state government. They had informed Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma of their protest plans through an email.
However, on Saturday afternoon, the Kolkata Police rejected the permission, citing potential traffic congestion as the city prepares for the upcoming Durga Puja festival. The police’s communication emphasized the anticipated large crowds and heavy traffic in the area, stating that the protest could cause inconvenience to the public and create a law and order situation.
The WBJDF had not yet announced their next steps following the police’s decision when this report was filed.
