Carnival Vs Carnival

The demand for justice for Abhaya, intertwines with the spectacle of the Durga Carnival and the hunger strikes of junior doctors. Amid political theatrics and civil unrest, Bengal stands at a pivotal moment, balancing tradition and the call for healthcare reforms.

In the midst of Bengal’s cultural fervor and political theatrics, a revolution brews—one demanding justice for Abhaya, tragically raped and murdered at R G Kar hospital on a fateful August night. What began as a cry for justice in Kolkata has evolved into a saga echoing across lands, perhaps heralding a new renaissance for Bengal. But amidst this backdrop of turmoil, enter the Durga Carnival, an event not just for Bengal’s heart but a magnet drawing crowds from far and wide.

However, just when the revolutionary spirit seemed to wane under the festive glow of Durga Pujo, a new act unfurled—a chapter of Durga Carnival versus Droho (Treachery) Carnival and the Junior Doctors’ hunger strike.

The Durga Carnival, an annual spectacle orchestrated by the West Bengal government, beckons multitudes each year with promises of cultural splendor. Meanwhile, junior doctors, disillusioned and driven by dire straits, launched a hunger strike on October 5th, their demands echoing unanswered in the corridors of power.

As tension simmered, the senior doctors raised the ante, calling for a Droho Carnival on October 15th, poised to coincide with the Durga Carnival—a move intended to jolt the government into action. Suddenly, like a startled dormouse, the government sprang to life, convening urgent meetings amid hopes of resolving the impasse.

Yet, what transpired next resembled more a circus act than a solution. The government’s response, dressed in bureaucratic prose and deflection, cited partial fulfillment of demands and deferred timelines like a magician delaying the reveal of his tricks. Mr. Panth, the chief bureaucrat, spun a tale of fulfilled promises and urged protesters to pack up their hunger strike and Droho Carnival—a suggestion akin to asking cats to swim.

Let’s dissect the demands: a laundry list as extensive as a Dickensian novel, ranging from justice for Abhaya to reforms in hospital infrastructure, police protection, and bureaucratic hygiene. Each demand a tale of administrative woes and promises unkept, leaving junior doctors and their supporters gnashing their teeth.

The government’s rebuttal, dispatched via email on October 11th, outlined grand infrastructural plans—CCTVs, washrooms, and duty rooms galore, promising a makeover akin to a Hollywood starlet’s pre-award show glam squad. Stakeholder committees and grievance cells sprouted like mushrooms after rain, promising transparency and accountability, though skepticism lingered like a bad smell. The summery is as follows:-

Infrastructural Developments:

1. 7,051 CCTVs, 893 new duty rooms, and 778 washrooms are being installed in medical colleges across the state.
2. Implementation of proper lighting, alarm systems, and biometric access control systems.
3. Over Rs 113 crores allocated by the state government for these projects.
4. 90% of sanctioned projects are near completion, except at RG Kar, where a NOC was recently received.

Stakeholder Engagement:

1. Stakeholders Committees are established in each medical college and hospital, including HoDs, senior and junior doctors, and nursing staff.
2. Committee members regularly visit work sites and provide feedback.
3. Active involvement of stakeholders is encouraged for long-term maintenance and sustainability.

Grievance Redressal:

1. A State Level Grievance Redressal Committee has been set up for healthcare providers.
2. Issues can be reported via email and a toll-free helpline (1800-257-0511).
3. A centralized Grievance Redressal Helpline is also available.

Reconstitution of Rogi Kalyan Samity (RKS):

1. RKS in medical colleges and hospitals has been reconstituted with representation from HoDs, nursing staff, junior doctors, and public representatives.
2. Till full nominations are received, Principals and MSVP will manage RKS activities.

Security Audits:

1. A Security Audit Committee, led by Shri Surajit Kar Purkayastha (Retd. IPS), will assess security protocols in medical colleges.
2. District-level security audits are led by District Magistrates.
3. Heightened police vigilance is in place at sensitive areas of medical campuses.
4. Retired police officers will oversee security in MCHs, with appointments already made in Kolkata-based institutions.

Enhanced Female Safety:

1. 1,113 female constables have been assigned to medical establishments.
2. Intensified police patrolling and activation of police outposts at medical colleges.
3. 1,514 private security personnel have been deployed after police verification.

Real-Time Bed Availability and Referral System:

1. A real-time bed availability and central referral system is being piloted in South 24 Parganas and Diamond Harbour from 15th October 2024.
2. Expansion to state-wide facilities is planned from 1st November 2024.

Filling of Vacancies:

1. The process to fill current vacancies is ongoing, with a commitment to expedite hiring through proper channels.

In response, the junior doctors, not to be outdone in verbosity, fired back on October 13th, scoffing at the government’s claims of progress. Their rejoinder, a litany of grievances reminiscent of a spouse’s list of unfinished chores, dissected promises versus reality with surgical precision.

Infrastructural Development:

1. Claims of infrastructural improvements (CCTVs, washrooms, on-call rooms) do not match lived experience.
2. Request for college and department-wise data on installations.
3. Doubt over completion of developments by October 15, 2024.

Stakeholders’ Committees:

1. Committees exist only on paper without proper Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
2. Demand for elected, not nominated, junior doctor representatives.
3. Syndication concerns arise from non-elected members.
4. Demand for election completion within 2 months or interim representation by WBJDF.

State Level Grievance Redressal Committee (SLGRC):

1. No elected junior doctor representatives.
2. Need for individual Grievance Redressal Cells in each college.

Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) Revitalisation:

1. Support for RKS formation but insistence on elected representatives from stakeholders.
2. Public representatives must be permanent area residents.

Hospital Security SOP:

1. Promised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for hospital security not yet received.

Real-Time Bed Vacancy & Central Referral System:

1. No system for real-time bed vacancy or referral yet established.
2. Concerns over the proposed system’s adequacy, particularly bed and infrastructure availability.

Additional Demands Not Addressed in the Document:

1. Inquiry and removal of the Principal Health Secretary.
2. Fair election of Students’ Union and recognition of Resident Doctors’ Associations.
3. Formation of an inquiry committee to investigate threat culture.
4. Manpower recruitment (faculty, doctors, nurses, technicians, Group D staff).
5. Investigation into alleged corruption and lawlessness in WBMC and WBHRB.

Urgency Due to Health Concerns:

1. Three colleagues on hunger strike have been hospitalized; others’ conditions worsening.
2. Urgent request to fulfill demands to prevent further critical health issues.

Amid this bureaucratic tango, I sat down with a protesting doctor, a beacon of determination in the storm. Their resolve, unyielding as a Himalayan range, echoed through our conversation. Apolitical yet resolute, they bemoaned political hijackings of their cause, drawing a line in the sand between justice and political expedience.

I spoke to one of the protesting doctors on various subject. A synopsis of the same is as follows.

When I asked about the status of the protest…

“We are continuing our apolitical protest, and will continue to do so. As of now some of us on a hunger strike and some even been hospitalized, yet our determination remains unmoved.”

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When I asked about political influence..

“As I said our movement is apolitical and intends to ratify the situation of health care. Yes some political parties are organizing protest in their own way like one political party is organizing a tarpan while another has taken our agenda and stamped it with their party seal. Everyone has their right to protest, we are not involved with them nor do we have anything to say about it.”

When asked about involvement with the senior doctor’s call on Droho Carnival..

“We support it morally but not directly involved with it.”

When asked about the road ahead..

“We will continue our protest till our demands are met.”

When asked about involvement of civil society..

“We appreciate the involvement of civil society and are thankful for their support as it gels with our apolitical agenda.”

When asked taking the protest to rural areas..

“We are already organizing medical camps in rural areas and will continue to do so, People are aware of the situation in rural areas and are in solidarity with our cause.”

Civil society, too, added its voice—a chorus of “Women Reclaim the Night” and social media rallies, steering clear of political shoals in their pursuit of justice for Abhaya. Their plea, as clear as a bell on a foggy Darjeeling morning, resonated with the purity of purpose lost in the political maelstrom. What they said is as follows..

“We do not want any political change or any politically influenced protest. We always wanted justice for Abhaya and will continue to do so.” They also added “We are concerned of the fact that some are trying to divide this protest for personal political benefit and this way the main cause of justice is getting side lined. We are organizing a march on 17th from the ‘jago nari jago bonnishika’ to the CBI office. ”

As we navigate this situation of carnival conundrums, one thing is clear: Bengal stands at a crossroads, balancing tradition with modernity, justice with expediency. Whether this tale ends in tragedy or triumph, only time and the penchants of political players will tell.

In this theatrical saga, as curtains rise and fall on protests and political posturing, one can only hope for a denouement that brings justice to Abhaya and reforms to Bengal’s beleaguered healthcare system. Until then, we watch, we wait, and we hope—a mantra as old as the Ganga, as timeless as Bengal’s indomitable spirit.