Doctors at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital have decided to boycott their upcoming conference on September 30, 2024, in protest of the rape and murder of Abhaya (name changed), a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee from RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata.
Organized by the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of RML Hospital, the conference is set to feature President Droupadi Murmu as the chief guest. However, many doctors are choosing to skip the event to stand in solidarity with their peers in Bengal.
Dr. Manish Jangra, an MD in Dermatology and Chairman of the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), confirmed the boycott, stating that the decision was made as part of the continued call for justice for Abhaya. He criticized the president’s participation in the conference without meeting with protesting doctors in Kolkata. Initially, the conference was planned for August but was postponed due to the outcry following the tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College.
Around 50 doctors are expected to abstain from the event, viewing it as a symbolic sacrifice in memory of their fellow doctors. The gathering was scheduled to award postgraduate and specialization degrees to the outgoing medical students, including MD, MS, DM, and MCh. However, many feel that boycotting the event sends a more vital message about addressing the injustice.
Protests led by the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front (WBJDF) began on September 10 before Swasthya Bhawan, demanding action and accountability in Abhaya’s case. The movement continues as doctors press for justice.