West Bengal's Junior Doctors’ Hunger Strike Intensifies: Health Deteriorates as Protests Grow

As the hunger strike by junior doctors in West Bengal enters its seventh day, tensions continue to rise, with the health of protesting medics worsening and public demonstrations spreading. The fast-unto-death protest, initiated by resident doctors from state-run hospitals, began on October 5, 2024, in Esplanade, central Kolkata, demanding safer working conditions and justice for the murder and rape of a junior doctor from R.G. Kar Medical College on August 9.

On Saturday, October 12, another doctor, Alok Varma from North Bengal Medical College, had to be hospitalized, a day after Aniket Mahato of R.G. Kar Hospital was admitted following complications from the ongoing fast. Two additional doctors from Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan and Calcutta National Medical College have since joined the hunger strike, increasing the total number of protesting doctors to seven.

Demand for Safety and Justice: The Crux of the Protest

The junior doctors are championing a ten-point charter, with a core demand for improved safety and security measures in government hospitals. The rape and murder of their colleague have sparked widespread fear among healthcare professionals, who now seek reforms that ensure a safer working environment. These tragic events have galvanized the medical community and the public alike, driving unprecedented support for the cause.

Citizens from all walks of life have rallied behind the doctors, converging at Esplanade to lend their voices to the growing outcry. Demonstrations have also spread to other areas of Kolkata, including outside the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office in Salt Lake, where protestors expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the case. While the CBI has filed a charge sheet against Sanjay Roy, a civic police volunteer arrested by Kolkata Police, those supporting the strike believe justice has not yet been adequately served.

Private Hospitals Join the Movement: Partial Strike Announced

In a show of solidarity, doctors from private hospitals across Kolkata have declared a partial strike for October 14-15. Under the banner of Healthcare Professionals of Private Hospitals, these doctors have vowed to continue supporting their government hospital colleagues, albeit with a commitment to keeping emergency services operational during the strike. The strike has raised the stakes of the protest, highlighting the widespread frustration within the medical community.

Indian Medical Association (IMA) President R.V. Asokan visited the doctors on hunger strike, pledging full support for their cause. The involvement of the IMA further underscores the gravity of the situation, as the junior doctors’ movement continues to gain momentum.

Government Response: Mass Resignations Rejected

Amidst the escalating protests, the West Bengal government clarified its stance on the mass resignation letters submitted by senior doctors from R.G. Kar Medical College and other state-run hospitals. Alapan Bandyopadhyay, chief advisor to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, stated that these resignations are not considered valid unless submitted in person following government service rules. This clarification was intended to quell confusion and reaffirm the government's control over the situation.

Despite the government’s dismissal of these mass resignations, the show of solidarity from senior doctors remains a powerful symbol of the unity within the medical community as they stand beside their junior colleagues.

Public Arrests Spark Further Outrage

Public discontent has been further inflamed by the arrest of nine youths on Saturday near a Durga Puja pandal, where they were reportedly raising slogans in support of the deceased junior doctor. The arrests triggered widespread outrage, with protestors condemning the police action as unnecessary. In response, Justice Shampa Sarkar granted interim bail to the youths, ruling that there was no reason for them to remain in police custody. However, the court also emphasized that demonstrations should remain 200 meters away from the puja pandals and should not disrupt the government-organized Durga Puja carnival.

Protests Continue Amid Legal and Social Tensions

As the hunger strike progresses and more doctors join the protest, the movement shows no signs of slowing down. The West Bengal medical community, supported by citizens, remains firm in its demand for justice and enhanced safety measures. With public demonstrations, partial hospital strikes, and ongoing legal challenges, the situation continues to evolve, keeping the spotlight on the critical issues facing healthcare workers in the state.

The doctors’ fast-unto-death, now a symbol of resistance, underscores the urgent need for reforms and justice in West Bengal’s healthcare system. With increasing public and institutional support, the coming days will likely see further developments in this escalating crisis.