Kolkata: On dharna site, a groundswell of support as people bring food and encouragement

He is not alone. Like Saha, people from all walks of life have been visiting the dharna site.

Some with food, others with umbrellas and tarpaulin amid a wave of solidarity for the protesters.

“I stand by their cause. After office, I buy fruit cakes, biscuits and distribute them to the doctors sitting on a dharna. This is my small contribution to a cause I stand for,” said Saha.

The protest site now has turned into a hub of community support with people and some outfits coming together to provide essential supplies and also encouragement.

At the protest site, which gives a feel of a mela but a sombre one, tables and chairs are arranged in an orderly manner, resembling food counters. A variety of items, including biscuits, cakes, water bottles, sandwiches, ORS, napkins, tents, dry fruits, khichdi and biryani are brought for the protesters.

“Some people even bring disinfectant and toilet cleaner and we clean the area every hour. The protest wouldn’t have been possible without such help and support. It doesn’t feel like we are on the road,” said a junior doctor.
On Friday night, Pratap Mondal and Pinaki Biswas brought 100 packets of biryani and within 15 minutes, none was left on the counter.
“In the last two days, we have distributed 250 packets of biryanis. This gives us inner satisfaction to be a part of this protest,” said Pratap Mondal.

Numerous organisations, including NGOs like Little Kitchen and Poushtik Life, alumni of Ramkrishna Mission schools, employees from various private IT firms, university student associations, and many others, are also bringing essential items or offering monetary donations.

“We may not have a complete understanding of their immediate needs as we know they have sufficient food. They might require other materials. Therefore, we have decided to provide them with funds so they can purchase what they need,” said a Ramkrishna Mission alumnus.

Tapas Chatterjee, a resident of Garia, had brought tarpaulins to the protest site.

“On Thursday night, we came to know through a WhatsApp group that the junior doctors need help. Since they are not regular political activists, they don’t know how to manage a long-term movement,” said Chatterjee.

Ruth Chattopadhyay from Poushtik Life described the scene at the dharna site as “overwhelming”.

“Many come here, but they may not have money. So, they sit with the doctors and chant slogans with them,” said Chattopadhyay.

“Many people from other states have been delivering food to the protesting doctors through delivery apps. I have seen many delivery boys bringing food with just the address of the dharna site and a reference phone number… We had never seen such a huge solidarity for the protesters. We heard about the farmers’ movement in Delhi and Punjab, and we are seeing such a groundswell of support for the first time,” Chattopadhyay added.

A junior doctor, who has been camping at the protest site, said, “We are welcoming all our well-wishers. We are overwhelmed by getting support from different sections of the society. We are grateful to them.”

However, as food is coming from every corner, there are apprehensions too. Even Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who made a surprise visit to the dharna site on Saturday, warned, “Ekta kotha bole jai. Sobai ekhane khabar dichchen. O-sob khabar khaben na (I want to say one more thing. Everybody is giving food, don’t eat all that food).”