The government of West Bengal stated on Saturday that the ‘mass resignations’ of senior doctors in solidarity with junior doctors regarding their protest against the RG Kar rape-murder case are standard letters without any legal validity. The statement indicated that they will not be considered valid and should be submitted separately in accordance with the rules of the service. Multiple physicians working in government-operated medical facilities have turned in their resignations.
Jointly signed letters of resignation were submitted to the government in order to demand justice for the victim and show solidarity with junior medics participating in a hunger strike to push for their requests. The mass resignations by senior doctors are being seen as a symbolic act of support for their junior colleagues, according to the state government. Alapan Bandyopadhyay, chief adviser to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, stated that a resignation letter is not valid unless the employee submits it directly to the employer following service regulations.
Bandyopadhyay stated that the doctors’ letters contained only group signatures and did not discuss specific concerns. Resignation is a topic that should be addressed by both the employer and the employee according to the rules of service that are in place. This type of standard letter, such as press releases or signatures from unspecified individuals, lacks legal validity due to insufficient details about the identities involved. “He stated that every page must be signed by the person submitting the document, and the issue should be viewed as a matter between the employer and the employee.”
He emphasized the state government’s commitment to elucidate the confusion surrounding the mass resignations of senior doctors from various government hospitals such as RG Kar Medical College, IPGMER, and SSKM Hospital.
Many experienced doctors have explained that the letters are symbolic and they have been working to ensure healthcare services are not disrupted during Durga Puja. The government has also mentioned that healthcare services at state-run hospitals have not experienced any interruptions, with senior doctors maintaining their usual schedules. Earlier in the week, a team of experienced physicians at RG Kar Medical College submitted a joint “mass resignation” document in support of their protesting younger colleagues. Afterward, doctors from other government hospitals also sent identical letters. Junior doctors at multiple state hospitals demanded the resignation of the health secretary and improved workplace safety measures.