RG Kar: Senior doctors threaten to go on ceasework if govt takes action against protesters

Addressing a press conference, the senior doctors said, "We are completely backing the junior doctors' demand. The state government should take positive steps to schedule a meeting with junior doctors. Any step like suspension against the junior doctors will compel us to go on ceasework."

"The five demands by the junior students are justified. The suspension of officials during an ongoing probe is not an unprecedented scenario in the face of public outrage. An impartial probe is impossible with them being in posts."

Senior doctors addressing press conference from outside Swasthya Bhavan | Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab

West Bengal junior doctors have spent the consecutive two nights outside the state Health and Family Welfare department's office Swasthya Bhavan after the government refused to accept the conditions given by the protesters for a discussion. They are camped outside the state health office for about two days.

West Bengal junior health minister Chandrima Bhattacharya on Wednesday evening said that they are ready for talks with the doctors in an "open mind" but not under the wrap of conditions and demands.

Bhattacharya even accused the protesters of playing politics over the issue citing their email to the government at 3:50 am, well thought-out delayed responses and setting of conditions and demands.

The five demands in a nutshell are justice for the victim, disciplinary action against now arrested ex-RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh, resignation of Commissioner of Police Vineet Goyal and two other top police officers, enhancing security at hospitals and elimination of the alleged threat culture.

The doctors have cleared a delegation of at least 30 members should be allowed in the meeting, which will have to be broadcasted live for people of the state to watch.

The protesters have said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who as per Bhattacharya waited till 7:30 pm on Tuesday for the meeting, will have to be present in the meeting.

However, the junior doctors claimed they had received the first email from the principal secretary of the health department and there was no mention that the Chief Minister was waiting at her office, Nabanna.

The junior doctors began their sit-in protest on Tuesday after they were denied an entry into Swasthya Bhavan to hand over deputation demanding resignation of some of the top officials.

On Tuesday evening, the health department shot an email to the junior doctors inviting them to participate in a meeting with a senior government representative.

The doctors rejected the proposal claiming it was "insulting" to them as the email came from the principal secretary of the state Health and Family Welfare department, who is one of those people whose resignation is among the demands by the protesters.

"The email has come from the health secretary and this is insulting to us," the protesting doctors said.

The junior doctors, who raised slogans throughout the night, on Tuesday refused to resume work by 5 pm, the deadline which was set by the Supreme Court.

The top court had said the government will be free to take action against the protesters post 5 pm on Tuesday.

Some of the senior doctors have claimed they are backing the juniors and they would respond appropriately if the government takes any action against the protesters.

The state's counsel, advocate Kapil Sibal had claimed during Monday's hearing that 23 patients have died due to the junior doctors' ceasework.

In the previous hearing held last month, the CJI had urged the junior doctors to resume work restraining the government from any action against them.

(Images of junior doctors' march to Swasthya Bhavan by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)