In a poignant demonstration of solidarity and grief, six junior doctors at Esplanade in Kolkata entered the third day of their hunger strike on Monday, demanding justice for their colleague, tragically raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College Hospital.
The hunger strike, which began on the evening of 4 October, gained momentum over the weekend as Aniket Mahato, a junior doctor from RG Kar, joined the protest, bringing the total to seven participants.
Mahato explained his decision, addressing concerns raised by some regarding the representation from RG Kar among the initial strikers.
He stated, “Since six of our colleagues from different medical colleges & hospitals volunteered to begin the hunger strike, some people had been questioning why no one from RG Kar was among those six. Probably, they forgot that the plight of the junior doctors because of the existing ‘threat culture’ is not just limited to RG Kar. That is why those raising the question tried to create confusion among people.”
On Sunday night, Mahato and fellow RG Kar doctor Ashfaqulla Nair arrived at the protest site, initially considering a joint fast. However, discussions led to Mahato committing to the hunger strike alone for now.
The original group of six fasting doctors includes Pulastya Acharya from NRS Medical College & Hospital, Tanaya Panja, Snighdha Hazra, and Anustup Mukhopadhyay from Calcutta Medical College & Hospital, Sayantani Ghosh Hazra from KPC Medical College & Hospital, and Arnab Mukhopadhyay from SSKM Medical College & Hospital.
Remarkably, while the hunger strike continues, the rest of their colleagues have resumed normal medical duties, effectively ending a previous cease-work agitation.
On Monday morning, a delegation of 15 senior doctors visited the hunger strike site to express their support for the junior doctors’ cause.
In a show of solidarity, they announced their intent to join the hunger strike for 24 hours.
To enhance transparency, the protesting doctors installed CCTV cameras at the venue and took the initiative to set up two bio-toilets – one for female participants and one for males without waiting for permission from the Kolkata Police.
This protest underscores the urgent call for safety and justice within the medical community, highlighting the challenges faced by junior doctors in a system fraught with danger and the need for comprehensive reforms.
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