The stalemate between striking doctors and the Rajasthan government continued for the seventh day on Tuesday while the agitating doctors faced public ire in different parts of the state. The strike badly hit the medical and health services across the state and it claimed more than 64 lives. Chief minister Ashok Gehlot again made an appeal to the striking doctors to resume their work and cautioned them about the rise in public anger.
Taking a tough stand, the government has transferred 377 doctors from Jaipur to far-flung areas, who have been working in the state capital for years on deputation. The number of arrested doctors rise to 450 while 40 residents has been suspended. ‘’We appeal them to immediately return to work. The medicos should resolve that they should not go on strike frequently, said Mr Gehlot while talking to mediapersons in Jaipur on Tuesday. The CM said the doctors should value the patients’ lives and try to understand the rise of public ire against them.
The striking doctors, however, refused to call off their agitation and termed the government action as “brutal”. The strike earned the wrath of the public when people protested at several places in the state. In Kota, the milkmen community of Gujjars refused to supply milk to the striking doctors and their families. The Gujjars assembled in Kota city and decided to stop milk supply to the doctors till the strike continued.