India: Kolkata junior doctors end hunger strike after talks with CM Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held talks on Monday (Oct 21) evening with a delegation of 17 junior doctors to resolve the ongoing dispute following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical Hospital. The meeting, which lasted almost two hours, was an attempt to address various concerns, including the “culture of threats” at state-run hospitals. 

The doctors ended their fast on Monday following the meeting with Banerjee.

“In today’s meeting (with the CM), 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 (RG Kar hospital victim), have been requesting us to call off the hunger strike, keeping in mind our deteriorating health,” the doctors told the news agency PTI after the meeting.

The discussion took place on the 17th day of the indefinite hunger strike, and for the first time, it was broadcast live from the state secretariat, Nabanna. During the meeting, Banerjee urged the doctors to end their hunger strike, stressing that most of their demands had already been met. However, she rejected their call for the removal of the state health secretary.

“At RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, several junior doctors and medical students were suspended without following proper procedures and rules. How can these students or resident doctors be suspended just on the basis of complaints? Who gave the college authorities the right to take such a step without informing the state government? Is this not a threat culture?” Banerjee questioned.

The doctors raised concerns about the hostile environment they face, asking for measures to be taken against those responsible. “If we look at this, a culture of threats exists, as several names have come up numerous times—who used to threaten junior doctors with cancellation of their registration and misuse their power. We want a positive and healthy culture,” they said.

“If needed, the state government can assess their performance and then decide. The atmosphere of the medical college campus has been vitiated by these goons under the guise of students. If you recheck their answer sheets, you will see these students don’t deserve to get even pass marks,” they added.

The outcomes of the meeting, including the points agreed upon, will be formalised and directives will be issued on October 22.

The doctors have been on a hunger strike for 17 days, demanding justice for their colleague who was raped at RG Kar Medical Hospital and calling for reforms in the state’s healthcare system. Six doctors have already been hospitalised due to poor health, while eight others continue their indefinite fast.

Massive protests had erupted across West Bengal following the brutal rape and murder of the trainee doctor on the premises of the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The victim was found dead in the seminar hall of the college on August 9.

(With inputs from agencies)