Retired Police Officers to March in Support of RG Kar Junior Doctors, Massive Rally Planned on October 1. Protests Intensify as Junior Doctors Threaten Statewide Strike Over Safety Concerns, 59 Organizations Join the Movement
- Junior Doctors’ Strike Warning: Junior doctors in West Bengal have issued a warning of a full strike starting Monday, October 1, at 5 PM, if their demands for workplace safety are not met.
- Support from Retired Police Officers: On Sunday, retired police officers and their families will march in Howrah to demand justice for the junior doctors of RG Kar Medical College, who are protesting following attacks on their colleagues at Sagar Dutta Medical College.
- Massive Rally on October 1: A coalition of 59 organizations, including several medical associations, has announced a massive rally on October 1, from College Square to Rabindra Sadan in Kolkata. Organizers claim over 100,000 people will participate in support of the protesting doctors.
- Community Protests on September 29: The West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front has called for community gatherings in neighborhoods across the state on September 29 to raise awareness about their demands for safety.
- Maha Rally on Mahalaya: On October 2, during the Mahalaya festival, junior doctors plan to lead a massive rally in central Kolkata, culminating in a demonstration at Dharmatala, signaling intensified protests ahead of Durga Puja.
- Origins of the Protest: The protests began on Friday night when family members of a patient allegedly assaulted junior doctors and healthcare workers at Sagar Dutta Medical College. A junior female doctor was reportedly threatened with violence similar to the infamous “RG Kar” incident.
- Demand for Workplace Safety: Junior doctors at Sagar Dutta Medical College initiated a strike on Friday night, demanding improved security measures in hospitals. Despite meetings with state health officials, the junior doctors have not received satisfactory responses, leading them to threaten further action.
- Silent March in Howrah: In solidarity with the RG Kar junior doctors, retired police officers and their families will participate in a silent march from Kazipara in Shibpur to Howrah Maidan on Sunday. Although no slogans will be chanted, participants will carry placards demanding justice.
- Growing Protest Movement: The protest movement is gaining momentum as various civic, medical, and retired law enforcement organizations join forces to press for urgent action on hospital security. The state government has been given a deadline to address the security concerns by Monday afternoon, failing which a statewide medical strike looms large.