Kolkata: Doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday continued their protest over the RG Kar rape and murder incident.
SC order
On Monday, the Supreme Court reminded that no action should be taken against doctors once they return to work by September 10. The court noted that if they fail to do so, the court will not be able to restrain the state government, and further absence from work might lead to disciplinary action against them.
Doctor Aniket Mandal, President RDA, RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, said that doctors will not resume work until their demands are accepted.
We also want normalcy
"We also want normalcy, but our demand is legitimate, so the state should accept this demand and if it is accepted, then only we will resume work. Our demand is the arrest of all culprits, a disciplinary action committee formed by the health ministry, and suspension of Sandip Ghosh," Mandal said.
The protesting doctors are seeking feedback from the CBI regarding the motive behind the RG Kar rape and murder incident, disciplinary action against Sandip Ghosh, resignation of Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal, and assurance about the safety and security of doctors and health staff in West Bengal and across India, among other things.
Dr Soumyadip Roy, a protesting junior doctor, also reiterated the demands, "If our demands are fulfilled within 5 pm then we will get to work... we want positive feedback from the CBI regarding the motive of the RG Kar rape and murder incident, involvement of people in the incident, disciplinary action against Sandip Ghosh, resignation of Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal, safety security of doctors and health staff in West Bengal and Pan India," said Dr Roy.
Continuous protest
Common citizens and doctors have been protesting the brutal rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The victim was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9th.
TMC appeal
Earlier on Tuesday, the Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) reiterated its call for doctors to return to work, emphasising that the human cost of doctors abstaining from their duty is increasing.
The party also questioned how many more lives must be lost before the medical fraternity fulfils its duty.
In a post on X, TMC said, "One tragedy after another - the human cost of doctors abstaining from their duty is mounting. This time, a man from Haripal, Hooghly, lost his life after being denied the treatment he desperately needed. We have always acknowledged the concerns behind the protests, but how many more lives must be lost before the medical fraternity rises to the occasion and fulfills its duty?"
On Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged doctors to return to work.
During an administrative review meeting at Nabanna Sabhaghar on Monday, Banerjee stated, "The Supreme Court has requested doctors to resume work immediately. I also request that they return to duty, and if they wish to meet me, they are always welcome."
On September 9, the Supreme Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a fresh status report by next week in connection with the murder and rape case. (with Agency inputs)
