Doctors Present Human Spin to Commissioner, Call for Resignation

A delegation of junior doctors met with Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and present him replica of human spin on September 3. The doctors had been protesting overnight regarding the rape and murder case of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. During the meeting, the delegation presented the Commissioner with a human spine replica and demanded his resignation.

Following the overnight protest, the Kolkata Police removed guardrails and barricades, allowing a delegation of 22 doctors to meet with the Commissioner at the Kolkata Police Headquarters in Lal Bazaar.

Background

The protest stems from the growing frustration among doctors over the mishandling of incidents at RG Kar Hospital. On August 12, renovation work disrupted hospital services, and on August 14, a violent attack on the hospital led to the destruction of crucial evidence. These events, coupled with the perceived lack of action from the police at the crime scene of the brutal Kolkata rape and murder case of a junior doctor at RG Kar Hospital, sparked outrage among the medical community. Previous protests by doctors highlighted concerns over safety, inadequate responses from law enforcement, and the need for accountability. The situation escalated to the point where doctors now demand the resignation of Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, holding him responsible for the police’s failure to manage the probe effectively.

Details of the Protest

On Monday, around 2 PM, doctors began their march to Lal Bazaar, the police headquarters, to meet Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, demanding his resignation. Nearly 24 hours after the protest, Kolkata police allowed a delegation of doctors to meet the Commissioner and senior police officials.

In a strange development, the delegation presented the Commissioner with a replica of a human spine and read a memorandum outlining their demands, which included a call for his resignation. The Commissioner listened calmly and acknowledged the police’s mishandling of the crime scene at RG Kar Hospital, including the renovation work on August 12 and the attack on the hospital on August 14 that destroyed evidence.

After the meeting, Aniket Mahato, a junior doctor at RG Kar Hospital and a member of the delegation, stated that the Commissioner graciously accepted their gift and admitted to the mistakes. Regarding the resignation demand, the Commissioner said he is satisfied with his work, but if his superior asks him to resign, he will do so gladly.

 

Key Issues Raised by Doctors

The delegation presented the Commissioner with a charter listing three key reasons for demanding his resignation:

• Failing to protect the crime scene and halt nearby renovation work.
• Failing to ensure a transparent investigation into the rape and murder case.
• Failing to protect RG Kar students from vandals on the night of August 14.

Another key demand of the protest was the suspension of Dr. Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, who was held by the CBI for financial irregularities but not suspended by the health department.

Quest For Justice

The protest by junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital reflects deep frustration over the police’s handling of recent violent incidents, including the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor. Despite their symbolic gesture of gifting a human spine and presenting clear demands, including the resignation of Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, the outcome remains uncertain. While the Commissioner acknowledged the police’s failures and expressed willingness to resign if directed by his superiors, the doctors’ concerns about accountability and justice are far from resolved. The protest highlights ongoing tensions between the medical community and law enforcement, with further actions likely if their demands continue to go unmet.

Read More: Kolkata Rape Murder Case: POLICE USE WATER CANON TEAR GAS ON PROTESTORS