Protesting Junior Doctors Defy Supreme Court Directive in West Bengal

Junior doctors in West Bengal continue their protest, defying the Supreme Court's order to resume work. They seek justice for a medic allegedly raped and murdered last month. Despite invitations for dialogue from the state government, the doctors demand the removal of top officials and continue their sit-in.

Junior doctors in West Bengal continued their protest on Wednesday, defying the Supreme Court's order to return to work by 5 PM on September 10. The protest marks their 33rd day of cessation, demanding justice for a colleague who was allegedly raped and murdered at a state hospital last month.

Despite the Supreme Court's assurance and the West Bengal government's pledge that no adverse actions, including punitive transfers, would be taken against them, the junior doctors persisted with their sit-in outside Swasthya Bhawan, the state health department headquarters, for the second consecutive day.

State officials have invited the protesting doctors for a meeting at the state secretariat 'Nabanna' to resolve the issue. However, the doctors have dismissed the invitation, considering it 'insulting' as it was sent by the state health secretary, whose resignation they demand. They also found restricting representatives to 10 as 'humiliating'. The CBI is currently investigating the alleged rape and murder following a Calcutta High Court directive.

(With inputs from agencies.)