Junior doctors in Kolkata are continuing their protests against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a state-run hospital, despite a court order to return to work. The protests, which have been ongoing for over a month, have put the West Bengal state government on the back foot.
The protests were sparked by the discovery of the body of a 31-year-old trainee doctor on August 9, which led to nationwide outrage in India. A hospital volunteer was arrested for the crime, which is now being investigated by a federal agency.
The protesting doctors have set up camp outside the state’s health department headquarters and are demanding justice for the victim, the removal of senior police officials, and enhanced security for health workers, among other things.
Despite the court order, the doctors say they will continue their protests until their demands are met. “We are providing healthcare through telemedicine from the protest sites,” said Dr Amrita Bhattacharya of the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front. “We are not affecting emergency services, but we cannot go back to work knowing that the people who murdered our colleague might be roaming around free.”
The protests have been largely peaceful, but some have escalated into chaotic political rallies, with police and protesters clashing with each other. The doctors have been joined by other health workers and people not connected with the profession, who are shouting slogans and singing and dancing.
The state government has said that 23 people have died after not accessing medical services during the strike, but the protesting doctors say they have ensured that emergency services are not affected.
The Indian Supreme Court is currently hearing a case related to the matter, and the protests have been criticized by some for being politicized. However, the doctors insist that they are not allied with any political party or ideology.
“We are a united front,” said Dr Sumantra Dey. “We might be from different political parties, but here we are playing for India.”