Significant rainfall was experienced across various regions of Calcutta on Tuesday morning; however, the determination at the protest site in the city’s center remained unshaken, where seven junior doctors are engaged in a hunger strike with the intention of continuing until death.
The demonstration by the junior doctors gained momentum as 50 senior doctors from RG Kar collectively resigned in support of their junior colleagues.
The junior doctors are striking in response to what they perceive as the government’s failure to address their demands for improvements in the public healthcare system in Bengal, particularly following the tragic incident involving the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.
Upon visiting the protest site on Tuesday morning, The Telegraph Online noted a marked increase in support compared to Monday, with numerous senior doctors joining in a 24-hour hunger strike.
Additionally, there was a larger turnout of community members at the protest, including students from a nearby esteemed girls’ school, some of whom were accompanied by their parents.
Dr. Sanghamitta Bhattacharya, 52, who is participating in a hunger strike on Tuesday to express her support for the junior doctors, remarked to The Telegraph Online, “If a home has a large number of termites, that home needs a proper termite treatment. Similarly, the doctors want a termite treatment.”
They are persistently calling for the ousting of corrupt officials, which is a justified demand,” she stated. “We are deeply dissatisfied with the recent charge sheet issued by the CBI. The circumstances surrounding Abhaya’s death are well-known, particularly the manner in which her legs were contorted. If Sanjay Roy were indeed a formidable demon or a significant adversary, such a scenario might be conceivable; otherwise, it is not. The hospital authorities have claimed that the deceased was like a daughter to them, so why are they not facing consequences?”
Among the protesters was Debabrata Das, a 39-year-old English professor at Rabindra Bharati University, who had brought his 9-year-old daughter along.
“I brought my daughter here today to teach her about the essence of justice and the importance of standing up for it,” Das expressed to The Telegraph Online. “These doctors are advocating for justice that benefits us all. I want my daughter to understand how to fight for justice. The Jaynagar incident, where a child was allegedly murdered after being raped, involved a 9-year-old. This frightens me for my daughter’s safety.”
When asked about the CBI charge sheet, Das remarked: “This is the initial charge sheet from the CBI, and additional supplementary charge sheets will follow. This case represents an institutional murder, and typically, such cases involve multiple individuals. I believe more truths will emerge.”
At the protest site, the junior doctors, who have been on hunger strike for several days, appeared noticeably weakened, taking breaks between chants for justice. Their colleagues reported that some of the fasting doctors were already exhibiting signs of physical distress, with ketones found in their urine, indicating extended fasting.
Every day, I arrive at the protest site by 9 a.m. and remain until approximately 9 to 10 p.m. During these hours, I am also observing a fast to show solidarity with my fellow colleagues,” stated Soham Paul, 27, a junior doctor at Midnapore Medical College, in an interview with The Telegraph Online.
“Our demands remain unaddressed, and the pace of progress is exceedingly slow. The government has the capacity to fulfill our requests swiftly, yet they choose not to. These demands could be resolved in a single day. Their reluctance to engage with our concerns stems from an awareness of the pervasive corruption and culture of intimidation that could arise from such actions.”
He reiterated sentiments shared by many at the protest regarding the CBI charge sheet, which allegedly identifies Sanjay Roy, the civic volunteer arrested by Kolkata Police, as the primary suspect in the rape and murder of the young doctor at RG Kar.
“Is Sanjoy Roy truly the perpetrator? What is his level of influence? If only one civic volunteer is implicated, then how is it that everyone from the police commissioner to the principal has been mobilized to manipulate evidence? It is evident that there must be a more significant figure involved in this matter,” Paul remarked.
Dr. Abid Hassan, a 24-year-old intern at SSKM Hospital and a volunteer at the protest site, expressed, “We anticipated that the government would remain inactive. It is unreasonable to expect more from a government that engages in concealing and manipulating evidence. Our desire was for the CBI to conduct an investigation free from state interference; however, their track record raises concerns. Justice cannot be expected from them.”
He further remarked, “The authorities claim that Sanjoy Roy is the sole accused, yet the individual who holds a higher position remains obscured. The brutality with which Abhaya was murdered is unprecedented. Even the solicitor general in the Supreme Court is not advocating for our interests.”
At the protest site, a large whiteboard is monitoring the blood pressure and CBG levels of the fasting doctors. The increasing presence of supporters, particularly school students and their parents, has fostered a sense of unity and urgency among the demonstrators.
Priyanjali Mondal, a 23-year-old intern at Midnapore Medical College, shared with The Telegraph Online, “I have been intermittently attending the protest due to my college responsibilities. The journey to Midnapore takes three hours. I am participating to support my colleagues. It has been 59 days without justice, and we deserve to be informed about the CBI’s status report, which should not be kept confidential. As a female student at my college, I feel unsafe in the hostel. Following this incident, there has been a significant drop in the female population. The college security is ineffective; they are merely ordinary individuals hired for the job. There have been occasions when unknown individuals have entered our hostel at night, and we have had to chase them away with broomsticks.”
Additionally, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has declared a nationwide hunger strike on Wednesday in support of the junior doctors protesting in Bengal.
