Kolkata, India: Junior doctors in West Bengal have publicly disclosed the financial details of donations received during their mass agitation in the wake of the alleged rape and murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College. The protest, which had sparked widespread outrage and solidarity, saw more than ₹3.5 crore in donations collected — with over ₹2 crore still unspent.
At a public convention held at RG Kar Medical College Hospital on Wednesday, the three leading organisations behind the movement — the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front (WBJDF), RG Kar Resident Doctors’ Association (RGKarRDA), and Medical College Kolkata Resident Doctors’ Association (MCKRDA) — released their independently audited accounts. The move came in an effort to maintain transparency and counter past political allegations.
Political Spotlight on Donations
During the height of the 2024 protest, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) had raised pointed questions regarding the source and utilisation of the funds being collected. Senior leaders had publicly suggested the possibility of political or external backing behind the sustained protests and sought clarity on the financial flows involved.
In response, the junior doctors had consistently maintained that all contributions came from citizens and well-wishers, with no political affiliations involved. The detailed audit report released Wednesday was seen as a direct rebuttal to these allegations and an assertion of financial transparency.
Donation and Expenditure Summary:
WBJDF
– Donation Period: Sept 13, 2024 – Mar 31, 2025
– Total Donations Received: ₹2.26 crore
– Total Spent: ₹31.86 lakh
– Remaining Funds: ₹1.94 crore
Expenditure Highlights:
– Hunger strike logistics: ₹4.59 lakh
– Public meetings and awareness: ₹2.5 lakh
– Website and app development: ₹44,000
– Avaya Clinic: ₹1.92 lakh
– Legal battle: ₹19.9 lakh
RGKar RDA
– Donation Period: Aug 10, 2024 – Mar 31, 2025
– Total Donations Received: ₹56.88 lakh
– Total Spent: ₹48.61 lakh
– Remaining Funds: ₹17.26 lakh
Key Expenses
– Protest staging at RG Kar: ₹6.26 lakh
– Demonstrations at Health Bhawan: ₹5.88 lakh
– Food and water: ₹2.4 lakh
– Victim’s statue installation: ₹51,300
– Travel, accommodation, sound systems: ₹3.44 lakh
– Legal proceedings: ₹25.2 lakh
MCKRDA
– Donation Period: Aug 12, 2024 – Mar 31, 2025
– Total Donations Received: ₹75.13 lakh
– Total Spent: ₹57.05 lakh
– Remaining Funds: ₹18.07 lakh
Spending Overview:
– Avaya Clinic: ₹1.63 lakh
– Lalbazar campaign: ₹66,616
– Processions and rallies: ₹1.3 lakh
– Health Bhawan protest: ₹12.07 lakh
– Mahalaya rally: ₹7.16 lakh
– Legal aid: ₹2.26 lakh
What Lies Ahead
Collectively, the three organisations still hold approximately ₹2.29 crore in unused funds. Debashis Halder, a prominent voice in the RG Kar protest, told Anandabazar Online, “Our legal fight continues. We are also looking to expand the Avaya Clinic initiative and will seek public suggestions on our newly launched website regarding the use of remaining funds.” He added that plans are in motion to send outreach teams to disturbed areas in Murshidabad.
A Continuing Movement for Justice
The victim’s family attended the convention and reiterated their commitment to seeking justice. They voiced their dissatisfaction with the pace of the CBI investigation and expressed solidarity with ongoing protests, including those of unemployed teachers. “We will support any movement demanding justice,” said the victim’s father.
The convention also saw the presence of eminent citizens including former MP Jawhar Sircar, academic Meeratun Nahar, and social activist Bolan Gangopadhyay. The junior doctors revealed that over 6,500 individuals had contributed personally, with support also pouring in from more than 250 organisations across the country.
The publication of these financial records marks a crucial step in maintaining public trust and underlines the protestors’ resolve to remain apolitical and transparent , despite past attempts to politicise the movement.
