Lagatar24 Desk
KOLKATA: Junior doctors protesting over the rape and murder of their colleague at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital have entered the fifth day of their ‘fast unto death’ protest, even as the Durga Puja festivities continue across West Bengal. The strike, which began on October 5, 2024, at Dorina Crossing in Dharmatala, has now extended into its 108th hour, with nine junior doctors of various medical colleges participating in the hunger strike.
Failed Talks and Unmet Demands
On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, the state government attempted to break the deadlock by holding a meeting with the protesters, chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant. However, the protesting doctors stated that they received no concrete solutions, only verbal assurances.
“Our friends have been protesting without food for over four days, and the government says it will consider our demands only in the third week of October, after the pujas. We never expected such insensitivity,” said Debasish Halder of the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front.
Protests Amid Puja Celebrations
The junior doctors have continued their hunger strike despite the ongoing Durga Puja festivities, which are among the largest in the state. Criticism also arose over the police’s actions, as several doctors distributing leaflets outside Durga Puja pandals were detained on Wednesday.
Demands for Justice and Healthcare Reforms
Justice for the rape-murder of the female doctor, who was brutally killed on August 9 at R.G. Kar Medical College, remains the protestors’ top priority. In addition, the junior doctors are calling for the immediate removal of Health Secretary N.S. Nigam, citing administrative incompetence and alleged corruption in the health department.
Other demands include:
- Establishing a centralised referral system for all hospitals and medical colleges in West Bengal.
- Implementing a bed vacancy monitoring system.
- Forming task forces to ensure proper facilities such as CCTV, on-call rooms, and washrooms in hospitals.
- Increasing police presence, with a particular focus on recruiting permanent women police personnel in hospitals.
- Filling vacant positions for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers.
The junior doctors initially began their protest after the rape-murder incident in August, ceasing work for 42 days before ending the strike on September 21. This occurred after assurances from the state government that their demands would be addressed, but the doctors claim progress has been insufficient.
