National desk
11 September
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
In West Bengal, junior doctors have persisted in their protest for 33 days, demanding justice after the alleged rape and murder of a fellow doctor. They have stopped working and are staging a dharna outside Swastha Bhavan, the health department’s headquarters. Their demands include the removal of the Kolkata Police Commissioner and key health officials.
The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the doctors to return to work by Tuesday at 5 pm, ensuring them that no negative action would be taken against them. The West Bengal government also assured the doctors that no punitive measures, such as transfers, would be implemented if they resumed duties. A meeting has been proposed by the government at the state secretariat, Nabanna, to resolve the issue.
However, the protesting doctors have expressed concerns that the invitation came from the state health secretary, whose resignation they are demanding. Additionally, they found the limit of 10 delegates for the meeting to be disrespectful.
The case of the alleged crime is currently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), following directives from the Kolkata High Court.