Kolkata junior doctors' hunger strike enters 16th day despite Mamata Banerjee's appeal

NEW DELHI: Junior doctors in West Bengal have been on a hunger strike for 16 days, seeking justice for a colleague who was allegedly raped and murdered at RG Kar Hospital.
Despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's request to end the hunger strike, the doctors are pressing forward with their protest.
Chief Secretary Manoj Pant invited the medics for talks with Banerjee to be held on Monday at state secretariat Nabanna.
However, this invitation is conditional on the doctors withdrawing their hunger strike. Banerjee spoke to the agitating doctors, urging them to end the fast, explaining that most of their demands have already been addressed, though she rejected their demand to remove the state Health Secretary.
The hunger-striking doctors have been insisting on changes to the healthcare infrastructure in the state. So far, six doctors have been hospitalized due to deteriorating health, while eight others continue their indefinite fast. They have threatened to escalate their protest if state government does not take constructive action by Monday.
Banerjee stated, "Everybody has the right to protest, but it shouldn't affect healthcare services. I would request you all to withdraw your fast."
She noted that several officials had already been removed and explained that it was not feasible to remove everyone in the health department.
She emphasized, “Is it logical for you to decide which officer should be removed?” and added, “Some of your demands need policy decisions. We will cooperate to the fullest extent possible, but it is not acceptable that you will dictate to the government what should be done.”
The chief minister appealed to the doctors' sense of responsibility, noting the strike's impact on healthcare services. “People are dependent on you for treatment. Where will the poor people go? They are treated free in government hospitals. Please forget my position and treat me as your 'Didi'. These are your just demands, but you should serve the people,” she urged.
The junior doctors have planned a strike of all medical professionals in the state on Tuesday if their demands are unmet. Additionally, they have organized a rally for Sunday to continue pressing their demands.
One protesting doctor commented, “It seems the chief minister is not informed properly. Apart from a few of us who are on fast, the remaining junior doctors are working. We will not withdraw the fast till all our demands are met.”
The junior doctors began their 'cease-work' on August 9, following the alleged rape and murder at RG Kar Hospital, and started their hunger strike on October 5 after nearly 50 days of 'cease-work' in two phases.