‘Mass resignation’ at RG Kar Hospital: At least 50 senior doctors quit in solidarity as colleagues fast unto death

Numerous senior doctors at RG Kar Medical College resigned on Tuesday in solidarity with their protesting colleagues. Junior doctors affiliated with the Kolkata hospital are currently undertaking a fast-unto-death as they demand justice for the rape and murder of a city medic. The decision to resign en masse was taken at a meeting of the heads of various departments of the state-run hospital on Tuesday morning.

“This has been decided at today’s meeting of the HoDs. All 50 senior doctors of our hospital have signed their resignation letters. This is to express our solidarity towards those young doctors who are fighting for a cause,” a senior doctor told PTI.

He also indicated that senior doctors at NRS Medical College and Hospital were also debating the possibility of following in the the footsteps of their RG Kar colleagues.

Junior doctors continued their 'fast-unto-death' for a fourth consecutive day amid Durga Puja festivities on Tuesday. A statement issued by the platform claimed there had been “no response from the appropriate authority to solve the issues” during this time. They were also joined by their senior counterparts for two rallies in the evening. The senior medics started their hunger strike at 9 am at Dorina Crossing in Esplanade area of central Kolkata,

Meanwhile the Joint Platform of Doctors also pledged solidarity with the junior medics on Tuesday. The doctor's platform also voiced concern over the health condition of those who are on the fast-unto-death and said they are fighting for “campus democracy and patient-friendly system".

“Look, it has been seven hours…our seniors are sitting on a hunger strike. Many senior doctors were on hunger strike yesterday and are still here today. We are making a sincere effort to communicate with the authorities, and we remain hopeful. We want people to join us. We believe that problems can be solved through dialogue,” a junior doctor participating in the protest told ANI.

(With inputs from agencies)