Doctor’s Rape-Murder: Kolkata Braces for More Rallies and Demonstrations

Kolkata: On Thursday, Kolkata is expected to see a wave of rallies and demonstrations protesting the alleged rape and murder of a doctor, with political parties and various civil society organizations planning to take to the streets.

Despite police efforts to "curtail BJP's movements," the party intends to proceed with its planned protest in the Esplanade area in central Kolkata, according to Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar. The BJP has demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of attempting to divert the investigation and protect the main culprits behind the doctor's alleged rape and murder, said Majumdar, the state unit president.

Senior BJP leader and West Bengal co-incharge Amit Malviya stated on Wednesday, "Despite the Calcutta High Court's clear orders, Kolkata Police is preventing @BJP4Bengal from setting up a stage for tomorrow’s dharna at Dorina Crossing, Dharmatala. The protest will take place as planned, but Mamata Banerjee and the Kolkata Commissioner of Police will have to answer for this."

Pradesh Congress Committee president and former MP Adhir Choudhury is leading a rally organized by the party from College Square to Shyambazar in the northern part of Kolkata, demanding justice for the deceased doctor.

In addition, an organization called ‘Pather Davi’ is organizing a rally of rights activists, students, and professionals from various fields to protest against violence towards women. "From Manipur to Hathras, from Unnao to Kamduni and RG Kar, we will demand justice for all rape victims," said Aditi Roy, one of the organizers. The rally will start at College Square and conclude in the Esplanade area. These protests follow the 'Nabanna Abhijan' on August 27, which was organized in response to the doctor's alleged murder, and a subsequent 12-hour bandh called by the BJP.

Meanwhile, junior doctors at state-run hospitals in West Bengal have been on strike for 21 days as of Thursday, rejecting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's appeal to return to work. "We will continue our protest until the main perpetrators of this heinous crime are arrested," said one of the protesting doctors.

The agitating medical professionals are also demanding elections in medical colleges, the inclusion of junior doctors and students in decision-making committees, and improved security measures at workplaces.

At a rally organized by Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad on Wednesday, Banerjee expressed her understanding of the doctors' grievances, saying, “I have sympathized with the doctors' cause from the beginning as they seek justice for their colleague. We have not taken any action against them despite the time that has passed since the incident. We understand your pain. But please return to work, as patients are suffering.”

On August 9, the body of the postgraduate trainee doctor was discovered in the seminar hall of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.