Junior doctors arrested for trying to meet CM Yogi Adityanath to raise demands, doctors' associations come to rescue
Jhansi: Coming to the rescue of three junior doctors attached to the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi, who were taken into custody by the police on Sunday after they tried to present a series of demands before Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, doctors' associations aired the concern on various social media platforms resulting in the release of the medical practitioners.
The incident took place when the Chief Minister was reportedly on a visit to take stock of the Covid-19 facilities in the college and the doctors wanted to raise a few demands including sufficient supply of medicines at the hospital, good behaviour by the administrative staff towards nurses and healthcare workers. They also demanded that the college's central library should function round-the-clock and called for the setting up of a new hostel.
As per a joint statement release by RDA Trust UP and FAIMA, one of the junior doctors shared the message of police taking them into their custody in the RDA Trust, Uttar Pradesh forum. He informed that they were still in police custody and called upon all RDA leaders to condemn this unitedly. Dr Vinay Kumar, President, RDA Trust UP shared the same message with the office bearers of FAIMA in the forum and requested to take up the issue and ensure the doctors were not harassed and should be immediately released. Dr Suvrankar Datta, General Secretary, FAIMA also condemned the events on behalf of FAIMA. He shared the news and pictures of the incident and stated, " While our frontline workers are toiling in the hospitals to save each and every life, let's remember to be kind to them."
A video of the manhandling of the junior doctors was shared by Dr Vinay Kumar of AIIMS. "The police took doctors to the station who came to meet the Chief Minister. See, how the police are treating them and not allowing them to meet CM Sahib. Their security and protocol are all right but the doctors were saying that they were there to deliver our letter, what is the crime here?", stated the doctor via a tweet.
Soon the posts went viral, following which a meeting was arranged with the District Magistrate, Jhansi by the efforts of Principal, MLB MC who himself came to the police station to release the doctors. In the meeting, all the genuine demands of the doctors were heard. They were assured that the District Magistrate would personally look into the matter. Also, SP Jhansi was apprised of the matter. The doctors were assured that authorities would take strict action against the perpetrators who manhandled them.
Senior officials told India Today, the doctors were taken into custody to ensure there was no disruption in the chief minister's programme.
Jhansi District Magistrate Andra Vamsi told The Indian Express, "There was a slight miscommunication and the doctors were trying to give a piece of paper regarding some very minor issues like playground and gymnasium in the medical college hostel. It happened at a point in time when the CM was about to board the car. Later, I met the doctors and assured them of doing everything to meet their demands."
Meanwhile, Dr Datta posted from his official Twitter account stating, "President, RDA Uttar Pradesh had brought this news to our notice. He has just now confirmed that the Junior doctors have been released. Thank you everyone who took prompt action in this regard and thank you all for your support!" All the associations have expressed their immense gratitude to everyone who supported their effort of ensuring justice for the junior doctors.
