RG Kar Case: Jr doctors in West Bengal end 16-day hunger strike following talks with CM Mamata Banerjee
doctors in West Bengal have ended their 16-day hunger strike after a nearly two-hour meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday. The discussions focused on various demands from the medical community, particularly addressing the «threat culture» prevalent in hospitals following the tragic rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Hospital in August.
During the meeting, streamed live from the state secretariat, Banerjee encouraged the doctors to conclude their fast, stating that most of their demands had been addressed, while rejecting the call to remove the state health secretary.
While both sides acknowledged the existence of a threat culture, they disagreed on its causes and implications. Banerjee highlighted concerns about the suspension of junior doctors at RG Kar Hospital, questioning the authority of college officials to act without informing the state government. She asserted, «How can these students or resident doctors be suspended just on the basis of complaints?»
In response, doctor Aniket Mahato, who had been hospitalized after fasting for five days, argued that those suspended had contributed to the culture of intimidation and should not be practicing medicine. He emphasized the need for the state government to evaluate their performance before making any decisions.
The junior doctors had been fasting to demand justice for their deceased colleague and systemic reforms in healthcare. Six doctors were hospitalized due to health issues related to the strike, and eight others remain on an
