After 'No Action By Mamata Banerjee Government To Ensure Safety,' Junior Doctors To Start Protests Again In Kolkata

Junior doctors in West Bengal resumed a complete strike on Tuesday (1 October) to press the Mamata Banerjee administration to address their concerns, which include ensuring safety and security across medical facilities.

The doctors held a torch rally on Sunday in protest against the rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

After an eight-hour meeting, the junior doctors decided to take further action, outlining a list of 10 demands aimed at enhancing hospital security, improving healthcare infrastructure, and eliminating threats and political interference within hospitals.

"We are forced to return to a full strike starting today. Without clear action from the government regarding safety, we have no choice but to continue with the cease work," the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front stated.

The junior doctors had previously returned to partial work on 21 September after a 42-day protest. Their ongoing agitation began after dead body of the trainee doctor was found on 9 August.

"Given the lack of progress on promises made by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, we have no option but to enforce a complete strike starting today," he was quoted as saying by PTI.

On Monday, the Calcutta High Court granted permission for a peaceful rally organised by the Joint Platform of Doctors (JPD) to be held in Kolkata, protesting the assault.

Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj instructed that the rally should take place from College Square to Rabindra Sadan, with adequate security provided by the police and did not impose any restrictions on participation.

The JPD, expecting around 50,000 participants, had challenged police restrictions on the number of attendees and the rally route in court, arguing that public support for the protest could not be limited.