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The tragic death of a trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata has sparked widespread outrage and ongoing protests across West Bengal. The incident, which occurred on August 9, has ignited calls for justice and accountability, with junior doctors leading the charge for a thorough investigation and the prosecution of those responsible.
The ceasework by junior doctors, which began over three weeks ago, has significantly disrupted healthcare services at state-run medical facilities. The doctors, united in their grief and anger, demand justice for their colleague and have refused to resume work until their demands are met. Their primary demands include the resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, whom they accuse of mishandling the investigation, and swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The protests have also focused on alleged inadequacies in the police investigation, which was ultimately handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Calcutta High Court. The protesters believe that individuals involved in the case are being shielded and that the truth must be uncovered. The arrest of a civic volunteer shortly after the discovery of the doctor's body and the subsequent arrest of the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, for alleged financial misconduct at the college, have fueled the perception that the investigation is uncovering a deeper web of corruption and potential cover-up.
The political landscape has also been drawn into the protests, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) using the incident to criticize the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government, accusing them of mishandling the evidence in the case. The Samajwadi Party, however, has defended the government, stating that they are working to ensure justice for the victim and criticizing the BJP for attempting to politicize the tragedy.
The ongoing protests and the intense scrutiny of the case highlight the deep-seated anger and frustration among healthcare workers in West Bengal. Their demands for justice for their colleague and their call for a transparent and thorough investigation underscore the importance of accountability and the need for systemic changes to ensure the safety and security of healthcare professionals in the state.
Source: Kolkata Rape-Murder: Junior Doctors Continue Ceasework Across Bengal | Updates