New Delhi, Oct 13: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a 24-hour nationwide hunger strike scheduled for October 15 to support West Bengal doctors and demand justice for a young physician who was raped and murdered at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. This decision comes as junior doctors at the hospital enter the ninth day of their fast-unto-death protest, with three individuals having been hospitalized.
The hunger strike will be organized by the IMA Junior Doctors Network and the Medical Students Network. In a statement released on Sunday, the IMA said, “Across the country, IMA Junior Doctors’ Network (JDN) will organise fasting from dawn to dusk between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday.” The IMA JDN will coordinate efforts with Resident Doctors’ Associations (RDAs) and support local initiatives.
The IMA highlighted the ongoing struggle of young doctors in Kolkata, noting, “They are on a Fast-Unto-Death struggle for their legitimate demands. They are on their ninth day of fasting. Three of them have been hospitalised. The movement has the support of the people. IMA has appealed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to accept their demands.”
IMA National President RV Asokan has visited the fasting young doctors, and the Bengal unit of IMA is actively supporting their protest. In solidarity, IMA Bengal has organized fasting at all local branches on Sunday.
Additionally, doctors affiliated with various private hospitals in West Bengal have declared a partial cease-work for 48 hours, commencing at 6 a.m. on October 14 and concluding at 6 a.m. on October 16. During this timeframe, only emergency medical services will be operational in these facilities.
The IMA has called on all office bearers and resident doctors nationwide to participate in the fast, suggesting that the protest or fasting locations should ideally be situated in their medical colleges or nearby campuses.
