Doctors' Mass Resignation Shocks Kolkata: A Call for Justice in RG Kar Hospital Tragedy

Around 50 senior doctors at RG Kar Medical College have resigned in solidarity with junior doctors on hunger strike after a trainee's rape-murder. TMC's Kunal Ghosh condemned the action, labeling it 'blackmail'. Protesters demand the health secretary's removal and better security measures to prevent future incidents.

In a dramatic turn of events, approximately 50 senior doctors and faculty from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata tendered their resignations on Tuesday. This move stands in solidarity with their junior counterparts, who commenced a hunger strike protesting the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the institution in August, as reported by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA).

The mass resignation drew sharp criticism from TMC leader Kunal Ghosh, who accused the doctors of engaging in 'politics of blackmail' and causing undue distress to patients. 'The government is very responsible and tolerant,' Ghosh asserted, suggesting that individual resignations be submitted instead. He proposed accepting the resignations and calling for new recruits, emphasizing the negative impact on both the Durga Puja economy and flood response efforts in the state.

Junior doctors persisted in their protests, demanding accountability in the RG Kar rape-murder case. Having staged a 12-hour hunger strike, they seek the removal of the health secretary and enhanced hospital security. Dr. Abid Hasan, among the protestors, expressed frustration over the lack of government communication and criticized the TMC for ignoring calls for dialogue. Highlighting ongoing threats and unmet resource needs, he urged authorities for clarity on hospital capabilities and emphasized the emerging social support for the protest.

(With inputs from agencies.)