On-duty medical officer wears protest badge, t-shirt at Durga Puja Carnival; arrested

Kolkata: Protesting against the state government, an on-duty medical officer of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) was arrested on Tuesday evening during the 'Durga Puja Carnival' for allegedly wearing a message t-shirt and a badge in solidarity with the doctors agitating over the RG Kar hospital incident.

It came to light that he was wearing a black t-shirt with the message 'sirdara bikri nei' in Bengali, which roughly translates to 'spine not for sale'. In addition, He was also wearing a badge that said 'protiki anoshon' or 'symbolic hunger strike' in a show of solidarity with the junior doctors who have been on fast unto death for the last 11 days.

Dr Tapabrata Roy, a member of the KMC medical team who was deployed on emergency duty during the Durga Puja Carnival on Red Road from 2 pm alleged that he was detained from the Red Road by the police. 

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"I was not told by the police where they were taking me after I was called by them while I was performing my duty on the Red Road. They clicked several photos of me. I had shown them my official duty slip, posting me on the Red Road," he said after his release.

As the news of Mr Roy's arrest spread, a large number of people, including his fellow medics, reached the Maidan police station, demanding his immediate release. Amid mounting pressure, the police released him. "I was released on a personal bond," said Mr Roy.

Without elaborating, an officer of the Kolkata Police told PTI that it was a "preventive arrest". Dr Roy is posted in KMC's ward 123, which comprises parts of the Barisha area in southwest Kolkata.

The stand-off between the doctors and the police over Roy's arrest added fresh fuel to the fire of protest that was lighted by the rape and murder of a medic at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

The state government organised the show with much pomp amid the fast unto death by the junior doctors, demanding justice for the deceased medic.

Condemning the police action and showing their full support to Dr Roy, the Bengal chapter of the Indian Medical Association stated that he was on a symbolic Hunger Strike, but was performing his duties sincerely.

In a press release, the association mentioned, "It is very unfortunate to note that Dr Tapabrata Ray, a Medical Officer Kolkata Municipal Corporation & an important Leader of Junior Doctors' Network (JDN) of IMA Bengal as well as Office bearer of IMA Santragachi Branch, while performing official duties at Red Road during Durga Puja Carnival, has been taken to Maidan Police Station & has been detained there just for wearing a Badge on his dress supporting the nationwide call of symbolic Hunger Strike (Dawn to Dusk) of Indian Medical Association Head Quarters.

We do therefore strongly condemn such attitude of Kolkata Police & demand immediate release of Dr Tapabrata Roy in a dignified manner, as otherwise IMA Action Committee will be forced to take further strong steps."

Also read- RG Kar Stir: 2 KGMU Lucknow doctors join hunger strike