On Saturdayin continuation with the strike that had already begun, junior doctors of Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) working at Minto Eye Hospital boycotted Out Patient Department services after one of their female colleagues was allegedly assaulted by members of Karnataka RakshanaVedike.

On Friday, members of the pro-Kannada outfit came in to demand for compensation for a patient who lost his sight after an eye surgery went wrong, due to the use of a contaminated drug. Later, they allegedly started to assault her because she could not speak Kannada.

Dr Savitha, one of the doctors on strike complained that their colleague was not the person responsible for the surgery and she is not from Karnataka. She questioned, “What kind of impression does it give about Bengaluru or Karnataka when outsiders are assaulted especially a doctor who was just doing her job?”There is a process to complain if any patient has an issue should have approached the right authority.

The main demand of the students is that those accused to be arrested or right action be taken against them. A protest is expected to take place on Monday morning too.

Doddabasappa, another doctor also demanded that they have reservation for only 50 percent of the seats for Kannadigas. The rest doctors from other states who come after writing NEET. What if Kannadigas went to study and practice outside the state and are attacked for not knowing the language? A male colleague who tried filming the incident was also allegedly assaulted.

Speaking at an event on Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister and Medical Education Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan said that he has asked police to take action against the offenders and has urged the doctors to return to work as patients shouldn’t be affected. Also, required security will be provided to doctors.