The West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front (WBJDF) is facing a significant internal crisis, with fissures widening just a day after a prominent leader announced his exit. The development casts a shadow over the unity of the junior doctors' collective in the state.
Prominent Leader Exits, Citing Representation Issues
On Thursday, anaesthesiologist Dr. Aniket Mahata, a well-known face from the RG Kar Medical College protests, walked out of the WBJDF. His decision followed disagreements related to the elections for the forum's executive committee. Explaining his stance on Friday, Mahata clarified that he was not opposed to the election process itself.
"My contention was... the Abhaya movement included junior doctors from across the state. If the executive committee doesn't have representation from all 26 medical colleges here, it's not true representation," Mahata told reporters. He emphasized the need for inclusive leadership that reflects the entire medical fraternity in Bengal.
RDA Withdraws Support, Accusations Fly
Adding to the turmoil, the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) at RG Kar Medical College announced on Friday that it was withdrawing its support from the WBJDF. The RDA stated it would reconsider its position only after RDAs from all medical colleges in Bengal hold talks, which are scheduled for Monday.
The WBJDF responded sharply to Mahata's exit, sending him a mail that labeled his decision as "rash, self-serving and irrational." The forum also accused him of distorting facts for personal glorification. The controversy revolves around the postings of junior doctors Debashish Haldar and Asfakulla Naiya, who, along with Mahata, were given postings different from their counselling allocations.
The WBJDF alleged that Mahata omitted the ongoing legal battles of Haldar and Naiya in his statements. The forum demanded a clear explanation or an apology, asserting that the two doctors joining their senior resident posts was a collective decision to counter narratives that "these revolutionary doctors" did not wish to serve in rural areas.
Mahata's Defiance and Allegations of Vendetta
Dr. Aniket Mahata remained defiant, stating he did not find it necessary to respond to the WBJDF's mail. He announced his decision to give up his senior residency posting, a bond posting mandated for three years after postgraduation.
"I am yet to get a joining order as a senior resident at RG Kar despite the Supreme Court verdict. This is a political vendetta," Mahata claimed. He revealed that giving up the posting would require him to pay a bond penalty of Rs 30 lakh to the government, for which he plans to seek crowd-funding.
Mahata has received backing from several other medical bodies, including the Service Doctors' Forum, Medical Service Centre, Voice of Abhaya, and Voice of Women. The situation highlights deep-seated issues within the state's medical community regarding representation, postings, and internal democracy.
