Junior doctors in West Bengal remain steadfast in their hunger strike, despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s earnest appeal for them to return to work. On Saturday, the Chief Minister urged the protesting doctors to end their hunger strike and resume their duties. She assured them that she had accepted 9 out of their 10 demands.
In a phone conversation with the striking junior doctors, the Chief Minister requested them to meet for further discussions on Monday afternoon. However, the doctors, particularly the eight who are fasting, were unwilling to suspend their strike and said they would continue until all their demands are met.
Delay in Resolution Causes Frustration
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Rumelika Kumar voiced frustration over the Chief Minister’s decision to delay the meeting until Monday, saying, “It’s Saturday, and she is calling us for a meeting on Monday. This means we are forced to continue fasting for two more days.” She added that the hunger strike may not necessarily end on Monday, as the doctors have not been given any assurances that all their demands will be met during the meeting.
The junior doctors have expressed disappointment, saying that they had hoped the situation would be resolved on Saturday. However, the Chief Minister explained that she was occupied with prior engagements and could only hold discussions on Monday. This delay has deepened their frustration, as they have been pushing for their demands for 71 days, with little to no progress.
Prolonged Agitation
The striking doctors have made it clear that their protest will continue with full force if their demands are not fulfilled. They have criticized the Chief Minister for not being fully aware of their demands, stating, “We’ve been voicing the same concerns for 71 days, but the Chief Minister says she still doesn’t know all our demands. Is no one informing her? Are our struggles falling on deaf ears?”
Chief Minister Banerjee has appealed to the doctors to call off their strike, emphasizing the negative impact it is having on healthcare services. However, one of the fasting doctors, Dr. Snigdha Hazra, refuted this claim, stating, “Only eight of us are on hunger strike, and yet she says the health system is collapsing? How can she make such a statement? We will return to work only once our demands are fully met.”
Next Steps and Potential Escalation
With Monday’s meeting on the horizon, the junior doctors have indicated that the outcome of their hunger strike hinges on the discussions with the Chief Minister. If their demands continue to go unmet, they are prepared to intensify their protest, potentially bringing healthcare services in the state to a standstill.
Despite the Chief Minister’s efforts to de-escalate the situation, the striking junior doctors remain unwavering in their decision to continue the hunger strike. They have warned that their agitation will only grow stronger if the Monday meeting fails to provide a satisfactory resolution to their long-standing demands.