'This is a pivotal moment': Key doctors' body resumes strike 2 days after calling it off

On Tuesday, the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) called off its strike - which began on Monday, three days after the rape and murder of the 31-year-old trainee doctor - after a meeting with Union Health Minister JP Nadda.

The organisation had said Nadda had assured to meet all demands including the one seeking an assurance that the Central Healthcare Protection Act would be passed to curb attacks on medical personnel.

The decision had caused disappointment among resident doctors' associations (RDAs) of several other hospitals, including that of the premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, which had said that the strike would go on.

The resident doctors' association of Safdarjung Hospital had even gone on to say that it was no longer associated with FORDA.

Reversing its decision on Thursday, FORDA said it was "shocked and anguished" by the violence at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, and acknowledged that its earlier call had caused "distress".

In a statement, FORDA said, "In light of the recent troubling events at RG Kar Medical College, the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) addresses our colleagues, the medical community, and the public with renewed resolve... We acknowledge that our earlier decision to call off the strike, made in good faith based on assurances from the Ministry, has caused distress and disappointment within our community. We accept responsibility for this and understand the widespread discontent it has caused."

"The events that have unfolded since, particularly the violence last night, have shocked and anguished us all. This represents a dark chapter for our profession, We strongly condemn the Union Ministry and State Government for their failure to honour their commitments and ensure the safety of healthcare professionals during this crisis," it said.

Announcing that it would resume the strike immediately, FORDA said it is developing a plan of action with other RDAs.

"The events of the past few days have reinforced our commitment to our rights, our dignity, and the future of our profession. This is a pivotal moment. We must stand firm, united, and resolute in our struggle for justice and the respect we deserve," it asserted.

The Lucknow chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which is the largest association of doctors in the country, said its members will wear black badges on Friday to register their protest against the horrific rape and murder as well as the attack on the hospital.

"We demand from the central government to make a stringent law for violence against doctors and hospital staff at the earliest. Every doctor's security under a safe environment should be the responsibility of the government," a statement issued by IMA Lucknow said.

"On 16th August 2024, we will all wear black badges on duty as a mark of protest against such a brutal and heinous crime and to show solidarity towards the family of the victim," it added.

Some miscreants suddenly entered the Emergency building and resorted to violence at a time thousands of women and men took the streets across West Bengal and outside demanding justice for the RG Kar case.

The agitating doctors had to flee owing to the sudden clashes. Media personnel were attacked.

The miscreants vandalised the stage where the protest was taking place. They even overturned the police vehicles.

Some police personnel also received injuries. The police had to resort to using tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The situation turned grim amid the massive protest organised called 'Relcaim The Night' to seek justice over the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee lady doctor at Kolkata's state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and its alleged cover-up that triggered a tsunami of anger against the authorities.

Women and men across West Bengal took to the streets on the eve of Independence Day.

Nine people have been arrested by police so far in connection with the vandalism.

Referring to the rape and murder case which is now under the CBI probe, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said rape is a "social disease". Adding to that, the Chief Minister said she doesn't believe in victimising innocent people for the sake of speedy investigation.

Speaking to reporters after visiting Raj Bhavan, Banerjee said, "As far as I have received information, I am not blaming students but some outsider political people- DYFI and BJP- who want to create anarchy in Bengal."

"The ones who vandalised are outsiders. They are not related to the students' protests."