Due to the delay in NEET PG Counselling, the doctors in Delhi have continued their protest for the eleventh day. They have completely withdrawn from all emergency and routine services for the 11th day. Due to the unmet demands, they have also returned their white coats to authorities.
After repeated delays in the counseling, resident doctors from major hospitals in Delhi have heavily protested over the beating, dragging, and detaining of the doctors when they were marching to the Supreme Court on Monday.
Supporting the police personnel, the Delhi Police has registered an FIR. The FIR is registered under sections of rioting, causing obstruction in duty and damaging public property against the protesting doctors. It was lodged at the IP Estate Police station.
The counseling delays have happened because there are a bunch of cases that are pending in the Supreme Court over the quota introduced for the economically weaker sections. There are around 50 doctors holding protests over the issue. It is being led by the President of FORDA ( Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association ). All of them were detained near ITO.
Dr. Anju Aggarwal, general secretary of the resident doctors’ association of Safdarjung hospital said that she was in disbelief and was shocked to learn what happened. She also said that there is no respect left for the Frontline Covid warriors, both male and female doctors were beaten and dragged brutally. She stated that several people got injured during the incident, some had lacerations and some got hit against the barricades.
Rohit Meena, Additional DCP ( Central district ) has reported that the protesters tried to halt the oncoming traffic. People were asked to stop but they started marching towards the Supreme Court. He said that the police had discussed with them but seven police personnel suffered from several minor injuries and the protesters damaged two buses as well.
After the unfortunate incident, doctors all over the city and other states as well came together at Safdarjung hospital last night and burnt an effigy. Doctors were also seen marching to the health minister’s residence after that. The doctors had started their protests exactly a month ago by withdrawing from outpatient clinics. They gradually withdrew from all work by resident doctors who are called the backbone of medical college hospitals.
The doctors also returned the “thalli and flowers” that were given to them as a tribute for their services during the pandemic. These doctors who were called, “Covid-warriors” who were only peacefully protesting against the delays in the counseling have been brutally detained and dragged on the roads by the police personnel.