Kolkata rape-murder case: Junior doctors allege ‘external pressure’ as fans, tents removed from protest site

Debashish Haldar, a prominent figure in West Bengal’s junior doctors’ protest, said they ‘remain hopeful for a formal written directive acknowledging our demands’, and will continue their cease work

The junior doctors had set up tents nead Swasthya Bhawan in Kolkata to protest against the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Hospital (Express Photo)

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 demoralise 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.”

Fans being taken away from the protest site (Express Photo)

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.

Also Read | ‘No one is vying for CM chair’: Meet the doctors leading Kolkata protest

Debashish Haldar, a prominent figure in the protest, stated, “While we appreciate the government’s verbal commitments, we remain hopeful for a written directive that formally acknowledges our demands. Until then, we will maintain our current course of action.”

Reportedly, in the meeting, the Chief Secretary had requested the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front (WBJDF) to submit the particulars of four to five junior doctors as representatives in the proposed Special Task Force for further discussions. He also reiterated the government’s request for the doctors to immediately resume work.

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.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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