Kolkata Doctors Protest Ends: After weeks of unrest, junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College have called off their hunger strike following a crucial two-hour-long meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday.
The strike was organized in response to the alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor on August 9. The meeting, held at the state secretariat, Nabanna, resulted in a temporary resolution, with the doctors agreeing to end their fast and cancel a complete state-wide strike that was scheduled for Tuesday.
Protests Persist Despite Hunger Strike Withdrawal
Although the hunger strike has ended, the junior doctors emphasized that their broader movement for justice and safety at medical institutions is far from over. Asfaqulla Naiya, a representative of the junior doctors, stated, “We will not flee from the battleground. We will continue our fight for justice as well as safety at medical colleges and hospitals.”
Debashish Halder, another junior doctor, echoed these sentiments, expressing dissatisfaction with the state government’s response. “In today’s meeting, we did get the assurance of some directives, but the body language of the state government was not positive… The common people have wholeheartedly supported us. They, as well as the parents of our deceased sister, have been requesting us to call off the hunger strike, keeping in mind our deteriorating health.”
Government Steps In to Resolve Crisis
During the meeting, CM Banerjee expressed her displeasure at the recent suspension of 47 students at RG Kar Medical College, which had been carried out without consulting the state government. She questioned the decision-making process of the newly appointed principal, asking, “Why did the Principal suspend 47 people? How did you decide? Do not suspend anyone without investigation. Don’t do what you want. Isn’t it a threat culture?”
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In response, Aniket Mahato, a junior doctors’ representative, defended the suspensions, claiming that the students had been involved in criminal activities, including sexual molestation, extortion, and threats. “If they were not suspended, the educational culture at the RG Kar Medical College could not be revived,” Mahato said.
Key Assurances from the Government
One of the most significant outcomes of the meeting was the formation of a state-level task force. This 10-member committee, composed of five representatives each from the state government and the junior doctors, will work on improving safety at medical colleges. At least one woman will be included in the task force, addressing the junior doctors’ concerns about security on campus.
Additionally, the Chief Minister stressed the need for transparency in medical examinations, asserting that the government would crack down on any forms of academic dishonesty. “The government will have to ensure that nobody indulges in any form of cheating. We have information that many students did this for two years,” Mamata Banerjee stated.
The doctors also advocated for transparency in promotions and gold medals within the medical community. They requested that the state government publish investigation details to reveal how certain individuals received honors despite lacking the academic qualifications.
Further Reforms Announced
The junior doctors agreed to the government’s proposal for holding students’ union elections in March 2025. They also called for elected student representatives in various committees within medical colleges and hospitals, as opposed to selected ones.
A pilot project for a central referral system has already been initiated in South 24 Parganas district, with Chief Secretary Manoj Pant encouraging input from junior and resident doctors to further refine the system.
Continued Vigilance by Junior Doctors
Despite the withdrawal of their hunger strike, the junior doctors remain determined to pursue their demands for justice for the victim and broader systemic reforms. The movement began with a ‘cease work’ protest lasting nearly 50 days, and the doctors had earlier threatened to escalate with a state-wide strike of all medical professionals on October 22.
“We are not done yet,” The Indian Express quoted one protestor as saying. “We will continue our fight until justice is served and real changes are made to ensure the safety of our colleagues in medical institutions across the state.”
