Junior Doctors’ Hunger Strike Enters Ninth Day Amid Ongoing Protests

The hunger strike by junior doctors protesting the recent rape and murder of a colleague at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has entered its ninth day. The demonstration, held at Esplanade in central Kolkata, has seen a decrease in participants, with only seven doctors remaining on the dais. Striking doctor Anustup Mukhopadhyay was hospitalized late Saturday after suffering severe health complications from fasting, including stomach pain and blood in his stool.

Mass Resignations Signal Unrest in Medical Community

The agitation has spurred significant unrest within the medical community, prompting a wave of mass resignations among senior doctors across various state-run medical institutions.

On Sunday morning, 77 senior doctors from the College of Medicine and JNM Hospital in Kalyani, Nadia district, submitted their resignations via email. They cited mental distress caused by recent events as a potential risk for providing adequate patient care.

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Political Reactions Heat Up

Meanwhile, the political climate surrounding the protests is heating up. Suvendu Adhikari, leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, has called for a boycott of the upcoming Durga idol immersion carnival scheduled for October 15.

Although organizers held this year’s Durga Puja, ongoing protests over the rape and murder case left the festive spirit notably absent. I urge the public to boycott the carnival as a message to the administration,” Adhikari stated.

Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh responded, defending the significance of the carnival as a celebration of West Bengal’s cultural heritage.

Ongoing Tensions Reflect Deep-Seated Issues

As the protests and resignations continue, the situation remains tense, reflecting deep-seated issues within the state’s healthcare system and its governance.