Kolkata: On Saturday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a heartfelt appeal to junior doctors to end their hunger strike, using the phone of Chief Secretary Manoj Pant. This plea comes in light of their ongoing fast-unto-death protest following the horrific rape and murder of a junior female doctor from R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital.
Pant, along with Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and Kolkata Police’s Deputy Commissioner Indira Mukherjee, unexpectedly joined the protest site in Esplanade, central Kolkata, where the seven junior doctors were on hunger strike.
During the visit, the Chief Secretary connected with the Chief Minister, who addressed the protesting doctors through the phone’s speaker. “I urge you to end the hunger strike and participate in discussions. Most of your demands have been met. Please allow me three to four months to organize elections for various councils in all medical colleges and hospitals. I ask you to end the hunger strike,” Banerjee stated.
Regarding the junior doctors’ demand for the removal of Health Secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam, she explained that moving all key officials from a crucial department simultaneously could lead to administrative challenges. “We have already taken action by removing the Kolkata Police Commissioner and other officials,” she noted.
Banerjee emphasized the importance of ensuring medical services for the public, stating, “People feel helpless without access to medical care at state-run hospitals. While I support justice and humanity, we must also prioritize patient care. I again request you to end the hunger strike and return to your duties.”
This appeal comes as the junior doctors warned the state government on Friday night that they would resume a complete work stoppage starting Tuesday if their outstanding demands are not addressed. The hunger strike, now into its 15th day, has been a response to the tragic incident involving their colleague.
Additionally, a large rally is scheduled for Saturday, starting from the victim’s residence in Panihati, North 24 Parganas district, and heading to Esplanade, where the junior doctors continue their protest.