Will doctor stir enter 2nd month? All eyes on court proceedings

KOLKATA: Agitating junior doctors are waiting anxiously for the Supreme Court verdict on Monday when the apex court takes up the R G Kar Medical College rape-murder, which happened a month ago. Monday also marks the completion of a month of a marathon cease-work by junior doctors that still continues. ‘Will the SC verdict on Monday end the stir or will it enter the second month?’ — this was the question that did the rounds on Sunday ahead of the SC hearing.

Junior doctors said that their future course of action will depend on what emerges from the court proceedings on Monday. They said what new information the CBI submits to the court, indications like if there was one perpetrator or more, some motive behind the crime will help them chart out their next plans.

“Even after a month of the crime, the investigation has failed to make a headway. We still don’t know if the crime was the handiwork of a single person or more people were involved. What was the motive behind such brutality on our colleague? We will definitely be expecting some lights to emerge from the Supreme Court hearing,” said Aniket Mahato, a first-year PGT of R G Kar Medical College.

After the Supreme Court hearing, the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front (WBJDF) that has representation from all medical colleges will discuss the outcome and decide on their future plans. But many indicated that even if the SC hearing brings up some positive news, they will continue to keep the heat up on the state on the alleged mishandling of the case and for “not doing enough against corruption in medical education”.

“Even the state seems to have no intention to meet our demands. This is not a petty crime. It has evoked mass solidarity. Hence, the case should be fast-tracked. We will resume work once we see the light for justice for our Abhaya,” said Debasish Haldar, a senior resident doctor at Medical College Hospital Kolkata.

Minutes before the SC takes up the matter on Monday, junior doctors will be out on the streets near their campuses between 10 am and 10.30 am with clocks in their hand, symbolising that they are keeping time. They have also requested the citizens to do the same.

“We are frustrated at the CBI’s probe that is going on at a snail’s pace. We want the Supreme Court to give us some hope on Monday,” said Mrinmoy Basak, a third-year PGT at CNMC.

Giant screens may be installed at agitation sites on campuses on Monday for live-viewing of the court proceedings.