RG Kar Horror: Bengal BJP Extends Support to Junior Doctors' Protest

Kolkata: The West Bengal unit of the BJP on Sunday issued a statement extending support to the ongoing agitation of the junior doctors of the state following the RG Kar rape-murder incident and urged party workers to join the stir in large numbers.

Three junior doctors staging a 'fast-unto-death' in Kolkata and Siliguri have been hospitalized due to a deterioration in their health condition.

Pledging full support to the agitating medics, whose 'fast-unto-death' entered the ninth day on Sunday, BJP state president and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar alleged that the West Bengal government has rescinded its promise made by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during her meeting with junior doctors on September 16 regarding security at medical establishments.

"The West Bengal BJP extends its full support to the junior doctors' front in their agitation against the Mamata Banerjee government. The demands by protesting doctors in the aftermath of the gruesome rape and murder of a woman doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital are legitimate and must be fulfilled," Majumdar said in the statement.

Alleging that the state has "rescinded" on its promise to meet the demands of doctors, he said all BJP workers are being encouraged to join the doctors' protest in large numbers and urged the people of the state to be part of the movement.

"We have to protect our doctors and save West Bengal from the dark forces which are helming the affairs of the state at the moment," the Union minister said.

Several BJP leaders, including Majumdar and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, had previously expressed support for the agitation of the junior doctors but did not directly participate in it, as the doctors and other protesting members of civil society had repeatedly called for making their movement apolitical.

The junior doctors have been demanding justice for the RG Kar victim, immediate removal of Health Secretary N S Nigam, workplace security, and other measures.

Their other demands include the establishment of a centralized referral system for all hospitals and medical colleges in the state, the implementation of a bed vacancy monitoring system, and the formation of task forces to ensure essential provisions for CCTV, on-call rooms, and washrooms at their workplaces.

The 'fast-unto-death' began on October 5 after nearly 50 days of 'cease work' in two phases. Their agitation was initiated following the alleged rape and murder of an on-duty postgraduate trainee inside state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

While one person was arrested by the Kolkata Police the next day, the CBI is now investigating the case following a Calcutta High Court order.

(With PTI inputs)