The West Bengal Junior Doctors Front (WBJDF) will return to work on 21st September 2024 after it decided to suspend its agitation following the State Government agreed to most of its demands. The junior doctors have been on strike for forty-one days since the rape and murder of a fellow trainee doctor took place at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata on 9th August 2024.

The WBJDF is demanding for –

1. holding all individuals responsible for the rape and murder, as well as any alleged tampering of evidence, accountable and ensure they are punished accordingly
2. implementing strict disciplinary action against former R.G. Kar Principal Sandip Kumar Ghosh
3. resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal
4. enhancing and ensuring adequate security measures for healthcare workers
5. eliminating the alleged ‘threat culture’ prevalent in hospitals and medical colleges across West Bengal

The government has already removed the Commissioner of Kolkata Police, Deputy Commissioner North, and the Director of Medical Education and the Director of Health Services. Further, the former Principal of RGMCH, Sandip Ghosh is in CBI custody and his medical degree has been revoked.

In a press release issued on Thursday, the WBJDF asserted that it will continue until justice for Abhaya is served and until the actual perpetrators, along with those who sought to protect them, are identified and punished. It also said that it remained firm on its fourth and fifth demands which the government has agreed to verbally in a meeting on 18th September and subsequently on the 19th, the government had issued several guidelines to ensure safety of healthcare workers in the state.

1. “Government directives have been issued for CCTV installation, designated rooms for doctors, water supply arrangements, and the presence of female police officers and special police patrols in colleges, along with panic alarm systems.
2. A centralized referral system has been introduced, with proposals for monitoring the number of vacant beds in hospitals. We hope this will alleviate some of the harassment faced by patients due to bed shortages and the influence of middlemen.
3. The government has also issued directives for the rapid permanent hiring of doctors, nurses, and GDAs for vacant positions, which will improve public health services and provide better care for the general public.”

The WBJDF, however, said that it is yet to receive specific guidelines regarding the termination of the threat culture in colleges. “Only a grievance cell has been suggested, meaning there has been no action regarding our fifth demand about student elections in medical colleges, RDA elections, and punishment for those associated with the threat culture,” it stated.

While majority of its demands have been accepted, the organisation expressed its disappointment that there has been no significant progress regarding our first demand for a swift, transparent investigation and punishment for the guilty. “Justice for our sister’s murder is our primary and fundamental demand,” it asserted.

Announcing the suspension of its protest in front of the Health Department and return to work from 21st September, the front also stated that “withdrawing our presence or partially ending our strike does not mean the WBJDF’s movement for justice for Abhaya has concluded,” it said, while cautioning the government that the protest will be intensified from 28th September if the government fails to draw clear measures on its fifth demand.

The next hearing in the Supreme Court is on the 27th September 2024.