One day after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Sandip Ghosh, the alleged mastermind behind the corruption scandal at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, the demand for justice sparked by the rape and murder of a young doctor continues to grow. Far from fading, the protest movement has gained renewed momentum.
On Tuesday, September 3, junior doctors leading the protest announced a city-wide candlelight vigil for tomorrow as part of the ‘Reclaim the Night’ movement. Dr. Kinjal Nanda, one of the prominent figures in the protest, said, “We are asking everyone to turn off their lights at 9 p.m on Wednesday, September 4, and join us on the streets with candles or diyas for a peaceful demonstration.”
Doctors at AIIMS Delhi, Safdarjung and Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, also carried out a candle protest on Wednesday.
The family of the murdered doctor has confirmed their participation in the protest, which will take place at the very hospital where the horrific crime occurred. The first ‘Reclaim the Night’ protest took place in Kolkata on August 14, but the movement has since gained traction across the city, drawing support from various sectors of society.
Government Suspends Ghosh
In a significant development late on September 3, the West Bengal government suspended Ghosh from the Health Department following his arrest. This action came after weeks of sustained pressure from both the medical community and civil society, who have been vocal in their demands for justice since the doctor’s rape and murder in the early hours of August 9. In addition to his suspension, Ghosh has been removed from the West Bengal Medical Council and various other health panels.
Earlier that evening, citizens formed a human chain stretching over 13 kilometers along the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. The protest, which did not obstruct traffic, was described as an apolitical call for justice. Participants, including doctors, nurses, and everyday citizens, held posters, chanted slogans, and sang songs as a peaceful expression of outrage. The demonstration was largely driven by social media, which played a significant role in organizing the spontaneous, non-violent protest.
Police Commissioner Meets Junior Doctors
Kolkata’s Commissioner of Police, Vineet Goyal, finally agreed to meet a delegation of junior doctors after making them wait for 22 hours. The doctors had staged a sit-in protest that began on Monday afternoon, September 2, after being blocked from marching to the Kolkata Police headquarters by a double-layered barricade of iron guardrails.
The junior doctors’ primary demand remains the resignation of the police commissioner. According to Dr. Mahato, Goyal said he would only resign if directed to do so by higher authorities, adding that he was otherwise satisfied with the performance of his police force.