Junior doctors’ body cites organisational discipline, rejects crowdfunding move linked to bond waiver
Kolkata: Amid the continuing demands for justice in the RG Kar rape-murder case, the West Bengal Junior Doctors Front (WBJDF) on Wednesday announced that it has formally severed all organisational ties with its former president, Dr Aniket Mahato, following sharp differences over the formation of the executive committee and related decisions.
The WBJDF leadership said the rift deepened after Dr Mahato tendered his resignation in December, alleging that the process of constituting the executive committee was “undemocratic” and undertaken without clearly defining the relationship between the trust and the committee. In his resignation letter, Mahato claimed that legal advice was ignored despite his repeated objections, which, according to him, went against the spirit of the movement seeking justice for Abhaya.
Referring to the controversy around doctor postings, Dr Mahato stated that when the state government allegedly took a vindictive step by changing postings of junior doctors, he chose to approach the court instead of joining the revised posting. He also pointed out that despite a Supreme Court directive to post him at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, no formal posting order was issued, prompting him to decide against serving as a senior resident in a state-run hospital.
The association, however, made serious allegations against its former president, claiming that Mahato sought around Rs 30 lakh from members of the public to pay bond money for not completing his senior residency. WBJDF clarified that it neither endorsed nor supported this move and distanced itself completely from the fundraising exercise.
In a press release, WBJDF said that after Mahato’s resignation, an online meeting was scheduled on January 1 to resolve the disagreement. However, his resignation letter was published on social media platforms earlier that day, following which repeated attempts by the organisation to contact him through emails received no response. The leadership said the offer for dialogue was not accepted.
The doctors’ body further clarified that while the organisation bore Mahato’s legal expenses as part of its collective decision, the choice to leave senior residency and seek public contributions for bond waiver was a personal decision taken against the organisation’s stand. As a result, WBJDF announced that it could not take responsibility for any public money collected in this regard.
Emphasising its commitment to the broader movement, WBJDF said it respects the sacrifices made by junior doctors, healthcare workers, delivery agents, rickshaw pullers and ordinary citizens who faced alleged state repression for participating in the Abhaya movement. The association added that while organisational ties with Mahato have been cut, it remains hopeful of crossing paths with him again in future protests for justice.
Meanwhile, the WBJDF formally launched its official website on Wednesday and appealed to citizens to register under the ‘WBJDF Companion’ section to show solidarity and help expand the movement. The leadership announced a nominal annual membership fee of nine rupees to symbolically commemorate August 9, and said the platform would also host public health information, educational videos and academic content for medical students through its YouTube channel.
