India: Protesting doctors agree to meet Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee but refuse to end hunger strike

After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed to junior doctors on indefinite hunger strike over the brutal rape and murder of their colleague at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, they refused to end their strike but agreed to attend a meeting with the state government on Monday (Oct 20). The outcome of this meeting will determine whether they will continue their indefinite strike.

The meeting is scheduled for Monday at 5:00 pm at Nabanna, the state secretariat. Previous attempts by Banerjee to resolve the deadlock through similar meetings were unsuccessful. While saying that most of their demands had been addressed, CM Mamata Banerjee rejected their request to dismiss the state health secretary.

On Saturday, Banerjee sent chief secretary Mano Pant to Rani Rashmoni Avenue, and spoke to the protesters on his phone while offering to meet them again.

“If you want to talk, I will cancel some of my appointments and meet you at 5:00 PM on Monday. But please end your hunger strike,” Banerjee told them during the speakerphone conversation, which was broadcast publicly. Despite these efforts, the hunger strike continued.

In response to a government email urging them to end their strike, the protesters insisted it would persist until all 10 of their demands were met, including significant reforms in hospital and medical college administration.

The ruling Trinamool Congress addressed the protesters at various party meetings on Sunday.

“I urge the masses to protect government doctors who sincerely work for patients and identify those who prescribe expensive medicines because certain pharmaceutical companies sponsor their foreign trips. Identify government doctors in the districts who frequently take leave to treat patients at private clinics in Kolkata,” said TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh at a party event.

“We do not give weight to Ghosh’s statements. Our protest has gained international recognition,” countered Haldar. Meanwhile, six other doctors involved in the hunger strike have become critically ill and required hospitalisation.

(With inputs from agencies)