Amidst ongoing protests against the brutal murder and rape of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, junior doctors in West Bengal have accused the police of assault during a rally. The doctors, seeking justice for their deceased colleague, were holding a peaceful sit-in at Dharmatala in central Kolkata when the alleged incident occurred. According to reports, a group of doctors were waiting near a road when they were allegedly beaten up by police officers.
“Two of our colleagues were beaten up by the police. We had permission to hold a press conference here. We protest this attitude and demand an apology, failing which we will continue our demonstration,” stated one of the junior doctors.
Amit Malviya, the head of the BJP IT cell, shared a video of the alleged assault on social media platform X, claiming that the West Bengal Police “brutally assaulted” the protesting doctors. “The situation in West Bengal is deeply troubling,” Malviya wrote. “The Mamata Banerjee-led WB Police brutally assaulted peacefully protesting Junior Doctors, who were seeking justice for the deceased doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital. The PGT doctors were kicked around by men, who claimed to be Police, but were not in uniform.” He further added, “The Junior Doctors have now issued a 24-hour ultimatum, for their demands to be met, failing which they will begin a hunger strike, unto death. Mamata Banerjee’s high handedness will be held to account for any unfortunate incident that occurs during Durga Puja.”
The junior doctors have called off their ‘total cease work’ across the state, opting for an indefinite sit-in until their demands are met. They have issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the West Bengal government, threatening to launch an indefinite hunger strike if their demands are not addressed. The doctors had previously gone on a complete ‘cease work’ for 42 days following the rape and murder of their colleague on August 9. After discussions with state officials, they ended their strike on September 21, resuming essential services. The current escalation of the situation highlights the growing frustration and anger among the junior doctors seeking justice and accountability for the tragic incident.
