RG Kar: Junior doctors to continue ceasework until Mamata govt fulfills all demands

In a press briefing following a General Body meeting, Dr. Aniket Mahato said, "In the face of our movement, the state government was forced to remove the Kolkata CP, DC North and two state health officials. We consider these steps as a win for our movement partly."

But the West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front has cleared that they won't quit ceasework until their other demands including the removal Principal Health Secretary, Narayan Nigam is met with.

In reference to the Supreme Court's criticism of the Bengal government, Dr. Mahato said, "The Supreme Court made it clear that the Aparajita Law passed by the State reflects misogyny and a regressive mindset. We consider the decision to not allot night duties to women is opposed to women's security.

"We don't consider hiring civic volunteers to provide security for women at hospitals is appropriate. Our concern also echoed in the Supreme Court yesterday. The government has also not been able to give documentation of the Rs. 100-crore fund which it proposed for security at hospitals."

Dr. Mahato said the doctors want an immediate constitution of task forces in every college with adequate representations from his fraternity.

The formation of Resident Doctors' Association and junior doctors' union in every college is also demanded by the protesters to dispel the atmosphere of fear amid 'threat culture' in the hospitals.

"The Chief Minister had announced the existing committees in hospitals will be dissolved but it is yet to be implemented," said Dr. Mahato.

As per reports, the junior doctors, who are camped outside the state health office for nine days now and in ceasework for 39 days, are keen for a meeting with the government again to press for the rest of their demands.

Supreme Court slams Bengal govt over night duty diktat

The Supreme Court on Tuesday rapped the West Bengal government over its decision to not allot night shifts to women doctors for safety issues in the wake of the RG Kar incident where a trainee doctor was raped and murdered in the state-run hospital last month.

A top court bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said as quoted by Live Law, "How can you say women cannot work at night? Why limit the women doctors? They don't want a concession...women are ready to work at exactly the same time shift."

In a directive, the CJI told Sibal that it is the responsibility of the state government to provide security and not dictate women's working hours.

"Mr.Sibal, you have to look at it. The answer to it is that you must give security. West Bengal should correct the notification, your duty is to provide security, you cannot say that women (doctors) cannot work at night! pilots, the army etc all work at night," the CJI said.

Supreme Court on women's security at hospitals

The Supreme Court has questioned the West Bengal government's 'Rattirer Sathi' app, which is aimed at providing security to women at night hours, lashing out at the intent to hire contractual employees for the job.

"The culprit behind the RG Kar case is a civic volunteer," Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud reminded advocate Kapil Sibal, who was representing the State in the top court.

"The civic volunteer could roam around the hospital due to lack of security. Will you again hire contractual employees for security purposes?"

The top court made the remark during the hearing on the RG Kar case. The Kolkata Police had arrested civic volunteer Sanjoy Roy for allegedly raping and murdering a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Though the state counsel assured the CJI of appropriate steps on behalf of the local government, the CJI again posed questions over the appointment of contractual employees for safety and security of women.

The top court has suggested the State to deploy police officials for security of women at hospitals highlighting the posting of contractual employees will raise questions over the security.