Mass Resignation by Senior Doctors at RG Kar Medical College Amid Protests for Justice

Kolkata: In a significant protest, over 45 senior doctors and faculty members of RG Kar Medical Centre and Hospital resigned on Tuesday, standing in solidarity with junior colleagues advocating for justice following the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor on hospital grounds in August.

The senior doctors expressed their concerns that the administration had not addressed the demands of the protesting junior doctors, asserting that there had been no progress in the investigation into the tragic incident. They urged RG Kar hospital management to engage in dialogue with the protesting doctors, who have been on a ‘fast-unto-death’ to seek justice.

“The health of our colleagues participating in the hunger strike is declining. We urge the government to reconcile with them,” the senior doctors stated in their resignation letter. They emphasised that the mass resignation reflects the severe inaction from authorities regarding the well-being of those on hunger strike, warning that individual resignations could follow if the situation does not improve.

The Joint Platform of Doctors (JPD) also expressed their support for the junior doctors’ movement, with key figures Punyabrata Gun and Hiralal Konar remarking that many senior doctors are considering mass resignation due to the lack of governmental response to their grievances. They highlighted the ongoing hunger strike and demonstrations that have persisted for five days, calling for reforms and a more patient-friendly healthcare system.

As the junior doctors continued their fast for the fourth consecutive day amid the Durga Puja celebrations, approximately 15 senior doctors joined them in a symbolic hunger strike, symbolising the urgency of their demands for justice in the RG Kar rape-murder case.