National Desk
30 September
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
Junior doctors at the College of Medicine and Sagar Dutta Hospital in the northern outskirts of Kolkata have stopped working in protest against the alleged assault on doctors and nurses after the death of a patient during treatment. The doctors are demanding improved safety and protection at their workplace. The ongoing protest is intended to be non-political, with the doctors making it clear that no political leader would be allowed to participate. They view their movement as a joint effort by citizens for better healthcare infrastructure, services, and safety of healthcare workers.
The situation escalated when West Bengal Congress president Shubhankar Sarkar and several other party leaders arrived at the hospital. Upon their arrival, the protesting doctors chanted slogans of “go back” and urged Sarkar to leave the premises. One of the protesters stated, “This is a joint movement of citizens for better health services, infrastructure, and adequate protection of doctors, nurses, and other health workers. This is a forum for junior doctors. Please leave this place, and we beg you with folded hands.” Despite this, Sarkar insisted that he had not come as a political figure but as a concerned citizen.
After leaving, Shubhankar Sarkar spoke to reporters, emphasizing that his visit was not political in nature. He claimed that the doctors did not explicitly ask him to leave, but he chose to respect their sentiments. “We came here as ordinary citizens, not as politicians,” Sarkar said. “We are leaving this place respecting the feelings and wishes of the doctors, who are like our children. They do not want any political color in their movement. We did not even bring the party flag with us today.” Sarkar’s departure highlighted the doctors’ strong desire to keep their movement focused solely on healthcare issues without any political involvement.