Mass Resignation, R G Kar, Kolkata – In an unprecedented and historic step, senior doctors at R.G. Kar Medical College tendered their mass resignation in solidarity with the junior doctors who have been on an indefinite hunger strike. The junior doctors have been protesting against the delay in justice for the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate doctor at the institution.
Mass Resignations: A Bold Move
The mass resignation of senior doctors marks a critical escalation in the ongoing protests, highlighting the frustration within the medical community over the government’s inaction. The senior doctors, many of whom have served the institution for decades, have expressed deep discontent with the way the situation has been handled. Their collective resignation sends a powerful message, as they stand firmly behind their junior colleagues, who are risking their health and safety to demand justice.
The senior doctors not only resigned but also issued a strongly-worded letter addressed to both the state and central governments. In the letter, they condemned the government’s insensitive attitude towards the justified democratic movement of the medical community and expressed grave concern over the deteriorating health of the junior doctors, who have now been on a hunger strike for days.
Delayed Justice and Government Apathy
The protests stem from the horrific rape and murder of a female postgraduate doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College earlier this year, a crime that has shaken the medical community across India. Junior doctors have been protesting since August, demanding swift justice and transparency in the investigation, which was later handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Despite widespread protests, strikes, and solidarity marches across the country, the government has yet to take meaningful steps to address the issue. The protesting junior doctors argue that the investigation has been slow, opaque, and lacks the urgency required in such a grave case. The hunger strike, initiated by junior doctors, was their final resort to draw attention to the delayed justice.
Health Crisis Looms Over the Protest
As the hunger strike extends into its second week, the health of several junior doctors has significantly deteriorated, with many requiring medical attention. Despite this alarming situation, the state government has remained largely unresponsive, offering no concrete solutions or assurances to the doctors.
The letter from the senior doctors explicitly condemned this neglect, stating: “The deteriorating health conditions of the protesting doctors on hunger strike cannot be ignored any longer. The government’s continued insensitivity towards the lives of those who serve the public health system is deplorable.” They urged the government to take immediate action to resolve the crisis and ensure that the protesting doctors receive the medical attention they need.
A Turning Point in the Medical Protest
The mass resignation of senior doctors is a turning point in the movement, representing the medical fraternity’s frustration not only with the delayed justice in the R.G. Kar case but also with the overall treatment of healthcare professionals in the country.
The mass resignations have placed tremendous pressure on the government to respond. The doctors’ decision to step down from their positions not only cripples the functioning of R.G. Kar Medical College but also raises concerns about the larger healthcare system, which is already strained.
National Response and Solidarity
Medical professionals from across the country have expressed solidarity with their colleagues at R.G. Kar Medical College. Protests have been held in other states, and various medical associations, including the Indian Medical Association (IMA), have condemned the government’s failure to protect doctors and address the crisis in West Bengal.
The UDFA has issued a press release supporting the protesting junior doctors of R. G. Kar and calling for a nationwide Black Ribbon protest on 10 Oct 2024.
Conclusion: A Moment of Reckoning
The mass resignation of senior doctors at R.G. Kar Medical College represents a critical juncture in the ongoing battle for justice and safety within the medical profession. With healthcare professionals at the forefront of saving lives, their mass resignation in protest of delayed justice sends a clear message: the government must act now or risk losing the trust and support of the medical community.
As the hunger strike continues and the health of the protesting doctors worsens, all eyes are on the government to see how they will respond to this escalating crisis. Will they finally deliver justice and protection to the doctors, or will this historic protest mark the beginning of a deeper rift between the medical community and the authorities?
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