Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: The doctors protesting against the rape and murder of the trainee medic at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata have called for a candlelight vigil on Wednesday evening. The protest, demanding justice for the RG Kar victim, has been named 'Ujala hone do, Nyay hone do' [Let there be light, let there be justice]. This comes as the Indian Medical Association urged protesting doctors to resume their duties and leave justice to the Supreme Court. It also comes as junior doctors at state-run hospitals in West Bengal continue their 'cease work' to showcase protest.
As part of this campaign, the doctors have requested people to turn off their lights and light a lamp or candle on Wednesday from 9 pm to 10 pm to honour the 31-year-old junior doctor who was brutally killed on August 9. The protesting doctors have urged people to join the protest in large numbers.
The protesting junior doctors demand accountability and justice for the victim. They said that the participation by others will showcase solidarity with the protesting doctors and justice for the Kolkata doctor.
"A young doctor was brutally raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Mamata Banerjee's indifference has further aggravated the victim's suffering. Stand against the ineffective governance of Mamata Banerjee. Be a part of the movement that demands accountability and justice for the victim. Your participation will demonstrate solidarity with the protesting doctors and the call for justice," the protesting doctors said.
On Tuesday, several healthcare professionals had formed a 13 km human chain along EM Bypass in Kolkata to protest against the RG Kar doctor's rape and murder.
IMA Urges Doctors To Call Off Strike, Says 'Leave Justice To Supreme Court'
With the junior doctors sitting on strikes and staging protests, the healthcare services in the Bengal capital remain crippled. Meanwhile, IMA in its letter to the protesting doctors stated: "The sacrifice of the young postgraduate resident of RG Kar has moved the conscience of the nation. The anger and frustration of the entire nation are equally on the fact that she happened to be a budding doctor as well as that she was the only girl child of lower-middle-class parents. The entire nation has adopted her as their daughter."
The IMA president further emphasised the importance of the Supreme Court's response and stated that the entire medical community should adhere to the apex court's ruling.
"The medical fraternity was justifiably on the boil. The resident doctors hit the road with anger and deep sorrow. IMA called for the withdrawal of services barring emergency for 24 hours. Subsequently, the Honourable Supreme Court of India has taken suo moto cognizance of the situation and has formed a national task force… The Honourable Court has said to the doctors 'Trust us. Justice and medicine shouldn't stop'. The Highest Court has spoken," ANI quoted IMA's letter.
“As citizens of India, the entire medical fraternity should abide by the word given by the Honourable Court. Patient care and safety is the prime concern of the medical profession. All doctors of modern medicine should return to patient care leaving justice to the Honourable Supreme Court of India,” it added.