Factionalism surfaces among RG Kar junior docs

Nearly three months after the brutal rape-murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital in the heart of Kolkata, the protesting junior doctors face factionalism.

- Sulagna Sengupta

A group of junior doctors has formed a new association, blaming the established West Bengal Junior Doctors Front (WBJDF) for deviating from the central demand for justice for the trainee doctor.

The new body, the West Bengal Junior Doctors Association (WBJDA), has alleged that many of its supporters were expelled in the name of "threat culture" at RG Kar Hospital. Over 50 medics were suspended on October 5 over an allegation that they were part of a "threat culture" at the state-run medical college. On October 22, the Calcutta High Court stayed their suspension.

The other faction has accused the WBJDA of being supporters of the ruling TMC. Rejecting the allegation, the new organization has questioned the sources of income of the WBJDF and demanded its balance sheet.