RG Kar tragedy: Protesting doctors challenge Kolkata police's ban on 'droh-carnival' in Calcutta HC

Kolkata: The Joint Platform of Doctors, a leading association of medical professionals in West Bengal, has filed a petition with the Calcutta High Court against prohibitory orders issued by Kolkata Police. These orders affect the route for a planned human-chain protest in central Kolkata.

The doctors' group is asking for an urgent hearing, as their demonstration, called the ‘Droh-Carnival,’ is scheduled to take place shortly. The Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Bivas Pattanaya have accepted the petition, and a special court led by Justice Ravi Krishan Kapur will hear the case at 2:00 pm on Tuesday.

Previously, Kolkata Police denied permission for the ‘Droh-Carnival,’ citing concerns that it would overlap with the state government's annual Durga idol immersion carnival. However, representatives from the medical community dismissed this reasoning, stating there is enough distance between the two events to prevent any conflict.

The doctors have insisted that the ‘Droh-Carnival,’ organised to protest the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor from R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital will go ahead as planned. They have also extended an invitation to the public to join them.

Following this announcement, the city police issued prohibitory orders for the entire day along the route of the planned protest. The decision from the Calcutta High Court will ultimately determine whether the doctors can proceed with their event.

This protest coincides with the 11th day of a hunger strike by a group of junior doctors. So far, five of these doctors have been hospitalised due to serious health issues stemming from their fasting, which began on October 5.

Agency