The protesting junior doctors defied the Supreme Court’s directive to return to duty by 5 PM today. They have stated they will not resume work until their demands are met.
After a week of demonstrations outside the Kolkata Police Headquarters in Lalbazar, hundreds of junior doctors marched towards the Swasthya Bhawan (Health Building) today, demanding justice for the doctor who was a victim of rape and murder at RG Kar Hospital.
The protesting doctors gave the state government until 5 PM on Tuesday to meet their five demands, which include the resignation of the Kolkata Police Commissioner, the state Health Secretary, the Director of Health Education (DHE), and the Director of Health Services (DHS).
They warned that if their demands were not met, they would stage a sit-in in front of the Swasthya Bhawan. Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed the protesting doctors to return to duty by 5 PM on Tuesday to avoid any adverse actions by the state government.
Following the discovery of a female doctor's body at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, junior doctors have halted work in all government hospitals across the state since the evening of August 9, leading to a disruption in health services.
The state government claims that due to the junior doctors' strike, 23 patients have died, and many others have not received treatment.
On Monday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee offered to directly address the grievances of the protesting doctors. Mamata stated, “The Supreme Court has requested you to return to duty, and I echo that request. If you have anything to say, you are always welcome. You can form a team of 5 to 10 members and meet with me.”
