The hunger strike by junior doctors in West Bengal entered its ninth day on Sunday, with increasing public support across the state. The strike began in response to the RG Kar Medical College incident, where a postgraduate trainee was allegedly raped and murdered inside the state-run hospital in August. Three junior doctors who have been observing a “fast unto death” in Kolkata and Siliguri have already been hospitalised due to deteriorating health conditions.
“Their conditions are worsening, but the state administration remains unmoved,” said a representative of the Junior Doctors Forum, which is leading the protest. In solidarity with the hunger strike, several former students of RG Kar Medical College have joined the movement by attempting a 12-hour symbolic fast. However, they faced resistance from CISF personnel stationed at the hospital for security, following a court order. Despite this, the ex-students, many of whom are senior citizens, remain determined to continue their symbolic fast.
In other parts of West Bengal, such as Malda and Murshidabad districts, citizens have also joined the movement by holding symbolic fasts. The junior doctors have called for a statewide “Arandhan” (no cooking) day on Sunday, urging people to show solidarity by refraining from cooking as a form of peaceful protest. Despite the ongoing Durga Puja festivities, a large number of people have visited the hunger strike venues, expressing support for the doctors’ cause.
What are the demands?
The junior doctors are demanding justice for the RG Kar hospital victim and have presented a list of additional demands to the state government. These include the removal of Health Secretary N S Nigam, improved workplace security, the establishment of a centralised referral system for hospitals, and the implementation of a bed vacancy monitoring system. They also call for task forces to ensure the provision of essential amenities such as CCTV, on-call rooms, and washrooms in their workplaces.
The hunger strike follows nearly 50 days of cease work in two phases. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to intervene before the situation escalates further. Doctors from private hospitals have also announced a 48-hour partial cease work from October 14 in solidarity with the striking junior doctors, although emergency services will continue to operate. The ongoing protest has attracted national attention, with the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) warning of a potential nationwide shutdown of medical services if any harm comes to the protesting junior doctors.
(With agency inputs)