CALCUTTA - The Calcutta High Court made headlines on Monday as it upheld previous orders allowing doctors to hold their protest at Esplanade, Kolkata, from December 20 to 26. This decision came amid calls for justice concerning the horrific alleged rape and murder of Doctor Suman Das, a postgraduate trainee from RG Kar Medical College, whose tragic death has captivated public and professional attention.
Justices Harish Tandon and Hiranmay Bhattacharya formed the division bench ruling on the matter, affirming Justice Tirthankar Ghosh's earlier directive which granted the Joint Forum of Doctors (JFD) permission to stage the demonstration near Dorina Crossing. The court's approval allows the doctors, who have been deeply affected by the incident, to voice their demands for expedited investigations and justice, especially as the Christmas festivities approach, attracting concerns from the state government.
During the hearings, the state's counsel, Kalyan Banerjee, raised worries about potential traffic disruptions during the busy festive period, calling the timing of the protest concerning. Banerjee contended, "The protest at Dorina Crossing during Christmas lacks merit as it could hinder public movement."
On the other hand, the doctors’ counsel Bikash Bhattacharya provided reassurance, stating the protest size would be limited to just 100 participants and they would remain strictly within the designated area. He presented video evidence of earlier demonstrations, arguing convincingly against claims the protests had caused significant disruption. "We've made sure to keep everything orderly, and Christmas celebrations will continue as planned," Bhattacharya noted.
Justice Ghosh, who had originally ordered the demonstration's allowance, had previously emphasized the need for the doctors to reflect their professional status and be cognizant of commuters' hardships. He placed specific restrictions on the gathering size and the physical parameters of the protest stage, which cannot exceed 40 feet by 23 feet.
This protest is the culmination of collective frustration stemming from the loss of their colleague. The body of Doctor Suman Das was found on August 9 inside the seminar room of RG Kar Medical College, prompting immediate outrage from students and faculty alike. The public trauma intensified when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) revealed charges against Sanjay Roy, a local police volunteer accused of the crime. The charge alleges Roy confronted the victim during her break, leading to the shocking assault and her untimely death.
Reflecting on the scale of the incident, the court's bench remarked during proceedings, "The R G Kar incident was 'unprecedented, unimaginable, and horrible'." This statement articulates the distress felt not just within the medical community but throughout society as calls for accountability grow stronger.
Looking forward to the protest, the Joint Platform of Doctors has planned several events to engage the community. On Christmas Eve, they will light candles and mark it as “Droher Borodin,” or Christmas of Protest. They are also collecting signatures at the venue to support their demands, which demand thorough inquiries not just against the alleged criminal but against implicated authorities for failing to secure the victim earlier.
Tamonas Chaudhuri, making waves within the protesters community, expressed confidence yet caution, saying, "We will light candles here on December 24 evening. We wanted to organize a rally but hesitated due to court limitations. We will not do anything violating the court's order." The leadership remains acutely aware of their commitments to uphold the legality of their cause, recognizing how easily public sentiment could turn against them if they stray from their established bounds.
The urgency of the demands cannot be understated, as the protesting doctors stress their claims of government inertia. The situation remains tense; many have turned back to earlier forms of protest, noting their hunger strike this October ended without favorable actions. "There has been no progress since we ended our hunger strike. The senior doctors had no option but to initiate the sit-in. We must show solidarity with our fellow colleagues," stated Pulastya Acharya, another leader among the protesting doctors.
This development emerges against the backdrop of continuing public demonstrations for justice. The sit-in protest will continue until December 26, and discussions continue about possibly pausing the protest on Christmas Day itself. A response to this suggestion is still pending, as the participants weigh their desire for commemoration and mourning against their demands for immediate action.
These protests aren't merely about one person's death; they spotlight endemic issues within the medical and judicial practices surrounding accusations of violence against women. Meanwhile, as the spotlight on this case remains potent, it continues to fuel broader discussions on women's safety and legal recourse within India.
With the Calcutta High Court's ruling, the doctors seek to transform their grief and outrage over this tragedy not just for their comrade but as advocates for substantial justice reform. The larger medical community remains watchful, eager for signs of change following these significant legal and social breakthroughs.
