Kolkata doctor rape and murder: Bengal doctors’ fast enters seventh day, two more join the hunger strike

The West Bengal government on Saturday clarified that the mass resignation of senior doctors is not accepted as per government service rules

The fast unto death of junior doctors in West Bengal entered seventh day on Saturday (October 12, 2024) and the health condition of another fasting doctor deteriorated. Alok Varma from North Bengal Medical College and Hospital was hospitalised on Saturday, a day after Aniket Mahato, a doctor of R.G. Kar Hospital on fast unto death was admitted to the hospital.

Two more doctors, one from Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan and another from Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital joined the fast unto death with five protesting doctors.

Resident doctors from state-run hospitals started their fast-unto-death in Esplanade in central Kolkata on October 5. The doctors are demanding, a ten point charter of demands including improved safety and security of working conditions in the wake of rape and murder of a junior doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

People from all walks of life are converging at Esplanade in support of junior doctors on fast unto death. Citizens also held demonstrations outside the office of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at Central Government Officers complex at Salt Lake. The CBI has been probing the rape and murder of the doctor and has filed a charge sheet against Sanjay Roy, a civic police volunteer arrested by the Kolkata Police. Those protesting have expressed their dissatisfaction with the charge sheet filed by CBI.

In a related development doctors of the private hospital have called for a partial cease work in support of the protesting junior doctors. Doctors of private hospitals have declared a strike on October 14-15 for non-emergency related services. The doctors, under the banner of Healthcare Professionals of Private Hospitals, assured that emergency services in all medical facilities will remain operational. The president of Indian Medical Association (IMA) R.V. Asokan had called on doctors on hunger strike and expressed full support to the medics on hunger strike.

The West Bengal government on Saturday clarified that the mass resignation of senior doctors is not accepted as per government service rules. “Unless an employee sends in his/her resignation personally to the employer as per service rules, it is not a resignation letter,” Alapan Bandyopadhyay, chief advisor to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, told journalists at the State Secretariat. Mr. Bandyopadhay emphasised that the government’s intention was to clarify the situation amidst confusion regarding the mass resignations.

Senior doctors at R.G. Kar Medical College had sent a “mass resignation” letter in solidarity with their protesting junior colleagues. Subsequently, similar letters were sent by doctors from other State-run hospitals.

Meanwhile, the police on Saturday evening released nine youths arrested from near a Durga puja pandals for raising slogans seeking justice for the R.G. Kar rape and murder victim. The arrest triggered strong reactions from people and protesters who said that the arrests were undesirable.

On Friday, Justice Shampa Sarkar said that there was no reason for the accused to be detained in police custody and granted interim bail to the nine youths against a surety of ₹1,000 each accused.

The court, however, added the detained persons shall not create any disturbance near the puja pandals. Justice Sarkar added that all demonstrations should be held 200 metres away from the puja pandals. “None shall disrupt the carnival, which the Government has organised, as a part of its yearly ritual,” the court added.

Published - October 12, 2024 11:56 am IST