India: West Bengal agrees to demands of protesting doctors in high-stakes concession
The West Bengal government has agreed to meet some key demands of junior doctors who have been on strike since August 9, following the rape and murder of their colleague.
The West Bengal government has agreed to meet some key demands of junior doctors who have been on strike since August 9, following the rape and murder of their colleague.
The state government will remove Kolkata’s police chief, along with two senior health officials, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee confirmed in a late-night press conference.
The 31-year-old victim, found dead at a state-run hospital where she worked, ignited nationwide outrage and raised alarms about the safety of healthcare workers in India. The case, now under federal investigation, led to thousands of junior doctors staging protests demanding justice, enhanced security, and the removal of top officials.
Also Read: Music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs arrested in New York, faces indictment
“The commissioner of Kolkata Police will be removed on Tuesday evening and there will be some more changes,” Banerjee announced after a marathon five-hour meeting with the protesting doctors. This concession has raised hopes that the junior doctors might resume their duties, although they have stated they will only act once all promises are fulfilled.
The murder has incited widespread anger, particularly in West Bengal, leading to a series of protests, including a massive Reclaim the Night march on August 14. While protests have waned in other regions, doctors in Kolkata have maintained their stance, with thousands continuing to demonstrate outside the state health department headquarters.
Despite a Supreme Court order for doctors to return to work, the strike has persisted, with protesters refusing a government invitation for a private meeting, opting instead for livestreaming. The protests have put the West Bengal administration under intense scrutiny, with courts criticizing their handling of the case.
In response to the unrest, Banerjee’s government has pledged new measures for women’s safety in workplaces, including designated safe zones and CCTV monitoring at state hospitals. The government has also stated that no punitive actions will be taken against the striking doctors, a move aimed at de-escalating the situation.
The Supreme Court has labeled the incident as having “shocked the conscience of the nation,” further intensifying scrutiny of the authorities’ handling of the case.
About The Author
