Protesting doctors to meet Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee as hunger strike enters 15th day
Oct 21, 2024
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], October 21 : At least 17 junior doctors on Monday left for Nabanna in Howrah district to meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over their various demands as their hunger strike continues over the alleged rape and murder a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The hunger strike, now on its 15th day, is part of their call for justice and healthcare reform.
Ahead of the meeting, Dr Aqeeb Ashraf, a Junior doctor told ANI, "We are leaving from here and hope to reach there on time. We hope that something comes out of this meeting and our demands are accepted to make a beginning of reforms in the health system."
On the reported 45-minute meeting with the CM Mamata Banerjee and their 10 demands, Dr Ashraf said, "We have gathered a collection of evidence and submit it. 45 minutes or five minutes are sufficient for us. This much time is sufficient to mutually understand each other and pass a order."
Protests have erupted across West Bengal following the murder of the trainee doctor. The victim was found dead in the seminar hall of the college on August 9.
On the junior doctors' meeting with CM Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar told ANI, "I am hopeful this time everything will be solved."
"My appeal to the junior doctors, colleagues and friends and also to the state government is that please discuss and solve the problem because no question of rigidity and flexibility is required at the time of discussion...," Subhankar Sarkar said.
The incident has sparked a political row between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the state government, with the BJP calling for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
