RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Controversy

It was August 9 when the fatal news broke the hearts of the people of India. It was that dark day when it was found that a junior female doctor was raped and murdered in a seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. The body of the 31-year-old post-graduate trainee was discovered in a semi-nude condition, sparking outrage and widespread protests across West Bengal.

After initial investigation, the Kolkata Police arrested the accussed Sanjay Rai, who was a civic volunteer. Civic volunteers, or village police volunteers as they are known in rural areas, are contractual workers engaged by the police for assistance. From the very beginning, the citizens were angry due to the fact that a person appointed by the police department is involved in the crime. This was when the very first protest by doctors broke out across West Bengal and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee vowed to seek death penalty for the accussed.

Having lost faith in the police department, the Calcutta High Court which took the cognisance of the matter and termed the case "extremely gruesome" and transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation. The court highlighted that Kolkata Police failed to take prompt action. CBI team comprising 25 members reached Kolkata to investigate the case. On August 14, a call was given to the women in general to participate in "Reclaim the Night" protest. Thousands of women and girls joined the movement across West Bengal to stand in solidarity with the RG Kar Victim.

But soon at midnight on August 15 a mob stormed into the state run hospital and vandalised the emergency department and nursing station.

Later, police arrested 19 people over vandalism charges.

These incidents triggered a nationwide protest regarding safety and security of women in workplace. Simultaneously, some also demanded safety and security of doctors at hospitals and colleges.

On 18th August, the Supreme Court Of India took the suo moto cognisance of the incident and posted the matter for hearing on August 20.

From that date onwards, many political parties tried to utilise the incident in their favour and gain some political movement. But the junior doctors stood tall and avoided any political affiliation from the very beginning. On August 26 a so-called student association also called for a march and sought resignation of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.

The junior doctors began their complete cease work of services from August 9 and continued it for 42 days till September 21 after being assured by the CM herself that the demands of the doctors will be met. Now after 10 days, they are again threatening to go back to cease work of services because the government is slow when it comes to implement the words assured.

Now, there are many things when it comes to doing the right thing.

I was from the very beginning standing with the junior doctors demands, and I supported their movement as well. Furthermore, I even jumped into one apolitical rally which was out in solidarity with the junior doctors. But now some of my views have changed regarding the whole incident.

Of course, I want justice for the victim who suffered immense pain. I do want that the guilty person(s) whoever it is should be hanged till death. But to cease work by junior doctors even after 42 days of doing it, I cannot support it.

Every day, when I read newspaper, I find someone stating in the newspaper that they travelled 200km to some hospital in Kolkata, but they were refused to treatment because of non-availability of doctors. Sometimes beds are not available, sometimes they are referred to some other hospital, making the family travel again to that one. Many people who have joined the streets with the junior doctors have health insurance, and they don't come to government hospital when they are in need to go to hospital.

But those poor people who are daily wage earner, they are treated at government hospital which are unable to serve them because of lack of doctors. I am understanding, feeling this pain and suffering because my friend Arijit recently lost his father due to excessive travelling to hospital after hospital when denied treatment into one.

I went to his father's funeral. Just 3 days before that incident, when Arijit's father was alive and good, I was talking to him and saying that I stand with Doctors' protest. But today, I have no words. I was in a dilemma.

After that day, I got a new perspective to look at the case. I got to know that behind this glorious protest, genuine people are suffering outside the hospitals lying on stretchers.

After several hearings, the Supreme Court Of India has only directed the state to implement strict guidelines of safety and security of doctors in colleges and hospitals. But the question is, we started this post with rape and murder of a 31 years old doctor, and now it is only about doctors demands. Although their demands are not wrong, but isn't it wrong to forward your demands on the shoulder of a rape and murder case? Maybe or may be not. Because when asked why they are demanding safety and security now and not before, they are saying that they tried to seek all demands from authorities previously, but they were reluctant.

I don't believe that everything has only one right or wrong answer. I don't believe that the world can only be black and white or the opinions can be only white and black. NO IT'S NOT LIKE THAT.

On the eve of Durga Puja, a popular festival in West Bengal which brings communities together, everyone worships the Goddess, mother nature, the Shakti. The local shop owners are counting losses due to the protests. They are saying every year they would wait for this time to make huge sales. But this time the situation is different. They have families to feed, they have employees to take care, and many things.

But some junior, privileged doctors are purchasing an iPhone.

THIS TELLS YOU ABOUT OUR SOCIETY.