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On Friday, Calcutta High Court declined to pass interim orders in a PIL filed due to the ongoing doctors’ strike in Calcutta, save for calling on the Government and the protesting doctors to jointly resolve the issues that have emerged.The Bench of CJ Thottathil B Radha krishnan and Suvra Ghosh J., suggestedthe Government to take measures to resolve the grievances raised by the striking doctors and make them to resume work. Further, the Bench has also appealed that the doctors take up a reconciliatory approach in the larger interest of their patients.
The strike began after two junior doctors of the NRS Medical College and Hospital were attacked by a mob on June 10 following the death of a patient. Thus, doctors across the state commenced a strike earlier this week, demanding that the government implement steps to ensure the safety and security of doctors against such attacks.
The West Bengal Governor, KN Tripathi appealed to the doctors to halt their strike and resume their duties. The strike acquired a political colour as Chief Minster Mamata Banerjee accused opposition parties of having inciting the strike.
As the deadlock continued Dr Kunal Saha, President of the NGO People for Better Treatment, approached the Calcutta High Court to intervene in the matter.
The Court, however, declined to grant any interim relief as of yet. However, it has urged the government and doctors to put aside their differences and work at resolving the deadlock. The Court said,“We do so because, within the parameters of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, ‘human rights’ as understood in the civilised societies and recognised in the international domain through terms of international conventions, which bind different nations, it is the fundamental requirement that the right to health is given top priority and any need for medical help is immediately extended to any human being even if he is not a citizen.”
The Court also took note of the State’s submission that it has arrested certain persons for the mob attack on the junior doctors. In view of the same, the Bench has called on the doctors to adopt a reconciliatory approach in the interest of upholding their ethical duties.
The matter will be taken up next on June 21. The Advocate General has been directed to apprise the Court of developments taking place in the interim by the next date of hearing.
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