dProtests and demonstrations are continuing in Kolkata over the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Hospital last month, while all eyes are on the Supreme Court where a hearing related to the matter will take place on Monday. Amid all this, there appears to be an undercurrent of mistrust between a section of doctors and the police in the city.
Home Guard driver Debasish Kundu of Anandapur police station received severe facial injuries in the stone-pelting that took place during the Nabanna Abhijan protest march a week ago. He also suffered injuries to his right eye, for which he was advised to consult an ophthalmologist upon discharge from the hospital. On Friday, Debasish went to the doctor, as advised. However, he says, the doctor behaved badly with him. “I went inside his chamber and he called reception and said why a police patient had been sent as he did not want to see one. He also said certain extremely derogatory things about our fraternity. He vented his anger on me. I was taken aback, got a refund, and left,” he told News18.
Hospital authorities, however, said that there would be no reason for them to not treat the police. “The patient was admitted to our hospital and after successful treatment, he was discharged after around 3 days. Following the post-discharge advice, they returned for a scheduled eye check-up in the OPD but decided to cancel the consultation. Respecting the patient’s decision, the appointment was cancelled and provided a full refund. At our hospital, our focus is always on putting our patients first, offering compassionate care, and supporting them every step of their recovery,” the hospital said in a statement.
Though this is one incident, observers say it underscores the mistrust prevailing between certain members of both fraternities. Some doctors are apparently angry that the police failed to protect them on August 14, when a mob vandalised the RG Kar Hospital. Also, allegations by the victim’s parents that the police offered them money to hush up the case have added accelerant to this anger.
A police officer told News18, “This type of behaviour (by doctors) is uncalled for. We all should work together for everyone’s betterment. This trend is not good. Police also are on duty 24×7. Anything is being said in slogans these days, which is not right.”
Sources from both camps say doctors and the police worked hard, often side by side, in times of the Covid pandemic, putting their own lives at risk. The brutal rape-murder of a doctor has shocked the nation but tensions between the two fraternities, on and off social media, over this is uncalled for, they say.
Speaking to News18, Dr Anubhab Saha, who has participated in protests, said, “There is no doubt that health workers and the people are unhappy with the system and the police have failed to protect us on the night of August 14. Problems are there but that does not mean that the fraternities will belittle each other and walk out on professional commitments. The police need doctors and doctors too need the police. The higher officials need to be held responsible.”
Both fraternities are very important pillars of society therefore trust between these two fraternities is essential.
Kunal Ghosh from West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress played down the situation. “A section of people are trying to do this. Both doctors and the police are friends of society and they are friends among themselves,” he said.
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