Situation so far:
As junior doctors’ protests continue, decorators on Wednesday night were seen removing tents, bamboo sticks, and pedestal fans from the protest site in front of Swasthya Bhavan. Protestors now claim that “external pressure” is causing decorators, who had installed fans for them, to now take them down. “It could be an effort to demoralize us,” said a junior doctor, “but we would like to clearly say that for a protest, we don’t need all this. We can protest from anywhere and in any possible way.”
Junior doctors announced their decision to continue their protest and cease work after a six-hour meeting with government officials Wednesday night. Despite the purported verbal assurance of the government, the doctors expressed disappointment in their demands not being included in the minutes of the meeting.
Junior doctor’s demands:
The junior doctors have been demanding a safer work environment and action against senior officials they claim are responsible for fostering a corrupt system that has endangered healthcare workers. Protestors now claim that “external pressure” is causing decorators, who had installed fans for them, to now take them down. “It could be an effort to demoralize us,” said a junior doctor, “but we would like to clearly say that for a protest, we don’t need all this. We can protest from anywhere and in any possible way.”
Chief ministers view:
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Monday night that the state government has accepted most of the demands put forward by the agitating doctors, demanding justice for the RG Kar rape and murder victim. Mamata Banerjee also announced Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, director of health services and director of medical education would be removed, as per the demands of the protesting doctors. Further, CM Mamata Banerjee urged the doctors to return to work as most of their demands have been accepted.
The WBJDF began a sit-in protest outside Swasthya Bhawan on September 10. Following a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee last Monday, the doctors expressed “partial” satisfaction with the outcome and requested further discussions. The second round of talks with Chief Secretary Manoj Pant took place on Wednesday.
