It will be exactly 150 days and five months tomorrow, January 9, since the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor, Abhaya (name changed), at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. In deep despair and dejection with regard to the delayed justice, the junior doctors under the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front (WBJDF) are staging a protest tomorrow, January 9, 2024.
EdexLive learnt that on January 9, planned for a procession from College Square to Shyambazar five-point turn, followed by an overnight stay with cultural protest activities. "The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) could not submit a chargesheet, even though it has been five months since we lost Abhaya. Therefore, we have given a protest call, inviting everyone to participate and support us to seek justice for Abhaya," said Dr Subhendu Mallick, a member of the front.
Further, he disclosed that street drama, singing protest songs, and other cultural activities are planned as a part of the protest.
"Avayar comrades, "Don't stop here tonight". The miscreants couldn't continue the murder and rape as suicide due to our constituency responsibility and movement, disgusting conspiracy of lacking information evidence has come to the front of all. All the success we've had in preventing the plot of turning the investigation process into a migration is for this movement. But many reports of central organizations are coming before all of us indicating extreme negligence in investigation. Now if we unite and don't think against it, Abhaya will be alone again after five months after August. So on 9th January we are calling for a great procession from college square to Shyambazar five head turn, there will be our overnight stay program. Come all," WBJDF wrote on Instagram.
The horrific incident happened on August 9, 2024, and numerous protests, marches, indefinite strikes, suspension of duties, and other demonstrations were staged demanding justice. However, even though months passed, the hope for justice for Abhaya among the doctors' fraternity is hanging by a thread.
"It is utterly frustrating, and we are hopeless about the Supreme Court, CBI and state government who failed to give justice not only to Abhaya but to every common man," Mallick said in anguish. "They are ignorant about the incident and are playing with the innocence and patience of protesting doctors," he added.
Additionally, he said the doctors are determined to continue the fight for justice despite hopelessness in the system.