The ongoing protest by junior doctors in front of the West Bengal Health Department headquarters at Salt Lake has entered its third day on Thursday, with demonstrators showing no signs of relenting.
The junior doctors are demanding justice for a colleague tragically raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital.
Their protest continues despite two attempts by the state government to initiate talks; first on Tuesday and again on Wednesday.
The doctors have insisted on meeting their four conditions before engaging in discussions.
The protestors’ requirements include a delegation of 30 representatives, a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a live broadcast of the meeting for transparency, and adherence to their five-point agenda.
This agenda notably calls for the suspension of key officials including the State Health Secretary, the Director of Health Services, and the Director of Medical Education.
One of the protesting doctors stated that they are receiving overwhelming support from the public and students from institutions like Jadavpur University, who are providing food, water, and other supplies to help sustain the protests until their demands are met. Additionally, people from various professions are showing their solidarity.
A particularly touching display of public support came from Milan Bose, a resident from Garia, a distant suburb of Kolkata.
On Thursday morning, Bose arrived at the protest with a poster that read, “It’s my birthday. I have come here to celebrate it with protesting doctors fighting for justice.”
Despite SC Deadline, Junior Doctors Remain Resolute In Demands
Earlier in the week, a Supreme Court bench set a deadline of 5 PM on Tuesday for the junior doctors to return to their duties, and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also echoed this deadline.
Despite these appeals, the protesting doctors remain resolute in their demand for justice and accountability.
The protest underscores a growing frustration with the healthcare system and reflects a broader public sentiment demanding prompt and decisive action.
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