RG Kar Kolkata: Junior Medics Hold Mega Rally On 'Mahalaya', Fresh Row Over Statue Installation | Top Points

As the 'Devi Paksha' began Wednesday with 'Mahalaya' heralding the beginning of worshipping the divine maternal energy right ahead of Durga Puja celebrations, thousands of junior doctors, joined by people from different walks of life, took out a mega protest rally demanding justice for the 31-year-old on-duty junior medic who was brutally raped and murdered at Kolkata's state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

Placards, slogans, ceasework: A fresh wave of protests

The mega rally organised by Bengal Junior Doctors' Front began at College Street and ended in Esplanade area. Wednesday's rally marked one of the largest demonstrations in recent weeks and attracted a diverse mix of participants, including doctors, nurses, medical students, and concerned citizens.

"We are not in a 'Puja' or 'Utsav' mood, and we will continue protesting on the streets till our sister gets justice. We have chosen this day of Mahalaya to send out this message," said one of the protesting doctors.

Protesters were seen raising slogans while carrying placards, and national flags asserting they would not rest until justice was served. The march comes amid doctors' 'cease-work' stir in hospitals in protest against the rape and murder of their colleague.

"We will not give up. This is about our safety, our dignity, and justice for Abhaya. The government cannot expect us to remain silent while they do nothing," said an agitating junior doctor, while addressing the crowd.

The protesters later gathered on the banks of Ganga, lighting 1,000 diyas as a symbolic act in their fight for justice.

"Today is the 52nd day of our protest, and we are still facing attacks. There is no positive response from the state government toward meeting our safety and security demands," said Aniket Mahato, one of the agitating junior doctors, addressing the crowd at Esplanade.

'Cry of the Hour': A fresh row over statue

Amid the spiraling row over the RG Kar incident, the recent installation of a statue named 'Cry of the Hour' depicting the victim's plight further intensified the situation. The bust created by artist Asit Sain showed the pained, crying face of the victim who died a pathetic death.

Many on social media strongly criticised the act by calling it "disrespectful" and "disturbing". However, in a bid to rule out the controversy, a junior doctor of the hospital reportedly told, "This statue is not of the victim, but a symbol of pain and torture she went through and the ongoing protests,"

Junior doctors' ceasework continues

The protesters, mostly junior doctors, have been on a 'cease work' since Tuesday, accusing the West Bengal government of failing to fulfil promises made in mid-September. Earlier the doctors partially resumed services after 42 days of the strike. However, they resumed the ceasework alleging that key demands such as enhanced safety measures for medical staff were not implemented.

"We joined our profession to serve the people, but how can we do so when we constantly live in fear? We don't feel safe in the very places where we are supposed to save lives," said another junior doctor.

Among the key demands raised by the Bengal Junior Doctors' Front are the installation of CCTV cameras on hospital premises, round-the-clock security for healthcare workers, and stricter protocols to prevent similar incidents of violence against medical professionals.

While the West Bengal government had initially promised to address many of the doctors' concerns following the first phase of protests, the agitating doctors claimed there has been little follow-up action.

"The promises made were hollow. We are being asked to return to work without any concrete measures being put in place to ensure our safety," Mahato said.

Man arrested for threatening doctor at RG Kar Hospital

As the threat culture, fear and intimidation continue to gain spotlight in West Bengal, Kolkata Police on Wednesday arrested one person for allegedly threatening and abusing a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

It has been reported that a complaint was lodged on Wednesday afternoon by a doctor at RG Kar Hospital against a person who came with his relative to the hospital's trauma unit for treatment.

"The person abused and threatened the attending doctor with dire consequences over treatment of the patient. The on-duty police personnel detained him. The patient later left the hospital for treatment at another medical institute. The detained person was later arrested," a police officer said.