DailyPost 2933
SIX JUNIOR DOCTORS FAST UNTO DEATH
If someone in this country does not know about Kolkata lady medico rape and murder case, he would be an exception. That has been the nature of protest in Kolkata, W. Bengal and the rest of the country. It would go down as the numerically the biggest and also the longest doctor agitation the country has ever seen. It is a tragedy that independent India has to witness such a protest. The precipitating factors were all man made and so was the messed up response, making the investigation messier by the day and life of the resident doctors not livable.
Everyone jumped onto the bandwagon; as per the legal mandate, as per court’s directive, or Suo moto as in the case of the Supreme court. The crux of the matter is that every agency of the government; state or central and high court and supreme court got associated with this case on a near continuous basis. Suffice to say, for the uninitiated it would mean real and serious action and the working and living scenario of the resident doctors all across the country for all times to come. What has happened is exactly the opposite, while all the while they gave a feeling they would be able to deliver what the doctors wanted.
Today it has come to such a pass that 6 six doctors, as per the latest decision, would go on fast until death, as it is blatant that the government has failed to fulfil demands. The strike was called on only on that assurance and with an ultimatum that they would restart the strike if their demands remain unresolved. Let there be no doubt about the fact that the doctors’ agitation was peaceful and disciplined and they were more than dignified in asking for their demands. The necessity and the urgency of the demand never needed any discussion.
It was visible to everyone to see what resident doctors have been going through on a continuous basis with no respite. The final visible manifestation has been the tragic loss of the lady doctor in the most ghastly manner. In a recent hearing SC emphasised the ‘tardy’ progress by the West Bengal government in CCTV installation, construction of toilets and separate resting rooms. That even these basic amenities the government could not provide in the face of the gravest challenge possible speaks of the will, thought process and wherewithal the government possesses to discharge its most basic duties. We have not talked of the security in detail, that to remain to be in shambles. With all the might of the state we couldn’t crack the case in time, provide security to the doctor, a congenial work atmosphere with some basic amenities. Where do we go from here?
RG KAR CASE SHOWS THAT WE COULD DO BETTER WITHOUT GOVERNMENTS.
Sanjay Sahay
Have a nice evening.