Today, On 10th October, In the ongoing RG Kar protests, nine arrested protestors are set to be presented before the court after 12:30 pm. Protestors expressed dismay, calling the arrests a violation of their fundamental rights. They emphasized that being detained for demanding justice through peaceful sloganeering is troubling.
Kolkata: The latest update on the doctors’ protest in Kolkata reports that nine arrested doctors will be presented before the Alipore District & Session Court today around 12:30 pm.
The junior doctors of West Bengal, along with others, continue their protest, demanding justice for Abhaya (name changed), who was raped and murdered at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
A source disclosed that the protesting doctors had planned to visit Durga Puja pandals and chant “Justice for Abhaya” slogans on October 9. However, upon reaching the Tridhara Sammilani Puja at Deshapriya Park in South Kolkata, women protestors reportedly manhandled by civic volunteers.
The source added,
“We visited a few pandals, but at the Tridhara Puja pandal, civic volunteers in plainclothes manhandled us. According to the Supreme Court, such actions are unlawful, as volunteers are not authorized to do so,”
The police arrested 29 doctors at the scene.
The source expressed in frustration,
“This is a violation of our fundamental rights. It is troubling to face such incidents while protesting for justice,”
The source further revealed that of the 29 arrested protestors, 20 were released last night, as they were allegedly not involved in the incident.
The source added,
“Nine protestors remain detained, including three junior doctors, while the others are supporting doctors,”
The nine doctors were reportedly charged under Section 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The absence of female police officers during the arrests was also highlighted.
Section 353 of the BNS concerns the creation, publication, or distribution of false statements that cause public mischief.
Adding more details, Dr. Suvrankar Datta, President of the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), said,
“It is deeply disheartening and disappointing for us. Our meeting with Principal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar, which lasted over three hours, ended with only verbal assurances, leaving us distressed.”