The protest began on Monday afternoon when a group of doctors, fueled by grief and anger, took to the streets with placards depicting illustrations of Vineet Goyal and demanding his resignation. These placards weren't just a call for accountability; they were a cry for justice for their fallen colleague. The doctors marched resolutely towards Lalbazar, the nerve center of Kolkata's police operations, determined to make their voices heard.
As they progressed, the group swelled with more supporters, each step echoing their collective frustration with the law enforcement's response to the heinous crime. Despite attempts by the police to control the situation by erecting barricades, the doctors pressed on. The tension was palpable, but the resolve of the doctors was stronger. After nearly 24 hours of relentless marching, the police eventually relented, removing the barricades and allowing the protesters to move closer to their intended destination on Bentinck Street, just a stone’s throw away from Lalbazar.
Upon reaching the police headquarters, a delegation of junior doctors, accompanied by senior police officers, finally met with Commissioner Vineet Goyal. The atmosphere in the meeting was charged with emotion as the doctors laid out their grievances. They accused the police of critical lapses that they believe contributed to the tragic events of August 9. One of the doctors in the delegation, speaking to the press later, revealed that Goyal had acknowledged that there were indeed lapses on the part of the police. However, despite this admission, the commissioner defended his actions, asserting that he had fulfilled his role to the best of his abilities and that any decisions regarding his tenure were up to the state authorities.
Undeterred by this response, the doctors vowed to continue their protest until their demands for justice were met. They announced a symbolic act of remembrance and solidarity for the deceased doctor, urging citizens across the state to switch off their lights for an hour on September 4. This state-wide blackout would serve as a powerful reminder of the life lost and the fight for accountability that continues.
The body of the young trainee doctor, who was on duty when she was raped and murdered, was discovered in the seminar room of RG Kar Medical College on August 9. The incident has sent shockwaves through the medical community and the public at large, leading to ongoing protests by junior doctors demanding justice and systemic changes to prevent such tragedies in the future.Â
Their fight is not just for their colleague but for the safety and dignity of every healthcare worker in the state. As the days progress, the junior doctors continue to stand united, determined to see their cause through to the end, even as they balance their responsibilities to their patients with their fight for justice.
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