New Delhi: In a powerful display of resolve, junior doctors in Kolkata held a 22-hour sit-in protest on BB Ganguly Street, demanding justice and accountability from the police. The protest, which began on Monday, saw the doctors occupying the street, chanting slogans, singing songs and refusing to back down from their demands, despite the police’s attempts to halt their march.
Respect for the national anthem
Amidst the protest, a video has surfaced showing the protesting doctors and policemen standing in unison for the national anthem. The almost minute-long video captures the moment when the doctors, on hearing the anthem, immediately stood up, and were joined by the policemen from across the barricades. This moment resonated with the peaceful nature of the sit-in protest.
The doctors came after what they described as a flawed police investigation into the incident at RG Kar Medical College on August 14, when a mob, under the guise of protestors, rampaged through the hospital, attacking staff and vandalising property. The doctors accused the police of failing to protect them during attack and expressed frustration over the handling of the investigation into it.
The vandalism at RG Kar
The junior doctors, carrying roses and a replica of a human spine to symbolise their call for police integrity, were stopped by a massive police barricade as they attempted to march to the Lalbazar police headquarters. The doctors demanded that Kolkata Police commissioner Vineet Goyal meet them at the protest site if they were not allowed to move towards the headquarters. As the police did not meet their demand, the standoff continued.
After hours of deadlock, a breakthrough was finally achieved on Tuesday. Following a third round of discussions with police officials, the barricades were removed, allowing 22 representatives of the junior doctors to proceed to Lalbazar. The removal of the barricades was seen as a significant victory by the protesting doctors.
Doctors’ protest to continue
“We requested the police to remove the barricades. We promised that there would be no chaos from our side, and we’ve held to that. The fact that the barricades were removed today is proof of how justified our demands were,” said a protesting doctor to TV9 Bangla.
Despite the arrest of Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, by the CBI in connection with a corruption case, the junior doctors made it clear that their protest would continue till all their demands were met.
