The West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Forum (WBJDF), on Saturday evening, announced a unique way to continue with their protests in support of their demands in the wake of the ghastly rape and murder of a junior doctor of R.G Kar Medical College & Hospital by continuing to provide medical services for the patients - and carrying out a fast-unto-death agitation in parallel.
Explaining the modus operandi of the parallel protest, a WBJDF representative said that six junior doctors will start the fast-unto-death agitation to begin with from Saturday night itself, while the other will be dedicated to medical services at the different medical colleges and hospitals in the state.
"For the sake of transparency of our hunger strike, CCTV machines will be installed at the hunger strike venue, so that the common people can come and see how serious we are about continuing with our agitation. As committed earlier we are giving our services to the patients. But we will not be consuming food," the representative said.
On Friday evening, the WBJDF, while announcing the withdrawal of their cease-work protest, had set a deadline of 24 hours for the state government to fulfil nine out of their 10-point demands failing which they would go for fast-unto-death agitation.
"That deadline is over and there has not been any communication from the state government about our demands. So as per our commitment, we will be continuing with our medical services for the patients besides entering into fast-unto-death agitation," the WBJDF representative said.
Already, the WBJDF has made it clear the first of their 10 demands relates to the protracted judicial process to ensure justice for the rape and murder of the victim, whose fulfilment depends on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Supreme Court. However, the fate of the remaining nine demands depends on how serious the state government is about fulfilling them, they said. The demands include the immediate removal of the state Health Secretary, the introduction of a centralised referral system and digital bed vacancy monitor, task forces based on each college, with elected representation of junior doctors, increased police protection in hospitals, filling up of vacant posts of doctors, nursing staff and health workers and setting up of inquiry committees in every medical college to investigate those involved in threat syndicates and punish them.
An inquiry committee being formed at the state level, immediate elections being held for student councils in every medical college, and immediate enquiry being ordered into the rampant corruption and lawlessness in the West Bengal Medical Council and West Bengal Health Recruitment Board are the other demands.
More relief, medical supplies: India continues humanitarian aid to Myanmar
In a heartwarming gesture, Myo Aung, the Chief Minister of Mandalay, visited the facility, witnessing first hand the compassionate care being extended. The Indian Army shared this on X on Tuesday with a few photos.
India, Thailand bilateral trade ties set to strengthen during PM Modi's visit
The recent years saw increased investment from Thailand in India in infrastructure, real estate, agro processing, electronics, automotive, food processing sectors, the hotel hospitality sector and the renewable energy sector.
Uproar in Lok Sabha as SP leads Oppn protest over Waqf Bill
The four-day last leg of Parliament Budget Session 2025 kicked off on an acrimonious note on Tuesday with Opposition MPs forcing an adjournment in the Lok Sabha amid protests led by Samajwadi Party members over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
PM Modi and Chilean President hold bilateral talks at Hyderabad House
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font at the Hyderabad House, where the two leaders discussed ways to enhance bilateral engagement across economic, commerce and societal domains.
EAM Jaishankar, Chilean Prez Boric discuss long-standing bilateral ties
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Tuesday held talks with Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font and discussed ways to strenghthen long-standing bilateral ties.
Bengal illegal factory blast: Death toll rises to 8, owners absconding
The police have started a massive search operation at Patharpratima and its adjacent areas to track the two owners of the illegal firecracker factory, Chandrakanta Banik and Tushar Banik, who have gone absconding since the blast took place at around 10 p.m. on Monday.
Commercial LPG cylinder prices cut by Rs 41 in relief for businesses
In a big relief for industries and businesses that rely heavily on cooking fuel, oil marketing companies on Tuesday announced a price cut of Rs 41 on commercial LPG gas cylinders (19 kilograms).
Yunus statement on northeastern states offensive, condemnable: Assam CM Sarma
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the statement of Bangladesh interim government’s chief advisor Muhammad Yunus regarding the seven states of northeast is offensive and condemnable.