A statewide hunger strike was declared on Monday by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) in solidarity with the continuing protest against the alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor in West Bengal. At a meeting on Monday, the doctors' organization declared that the hunger strike would start on Wednesday, two months after the August 9 alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College in West Bengal. "We have been in close contact with the West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front and are united in our stance," said Suvrankar Datta, President of FAIMA.
The hunger strike, which is expected to involve thousands of doctors and medical students across India, will be a peaceful demonstration to put pressure on the government to expedite the investigation and ensure the strictest punishment for those involved. Doctors participating in the strike will continue providing emergency medical care but will suspend all other non-essential services for the day.
In response to the growing outcry, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has assured that the investigation will be handled urgently and that those responsible will face the full force of the law. However, critics have expressed frustration over the slow pace of the investigation, with many fearing that the case might slip into bureaucratic delays.
The hunger strike on October 9 will be observed in hospitals and medical colleges nationwide, with demonstrators wearing black armbands and holding placards calling for justice. Many are hopeful that this collective action will serve as a wake-up call to authorities, demanding accountability, safety reforms, and justice for the slain student.
As the nation watches the unfolding developments in the RG Kar case, the hunger strike represents a crucial moment for both the medical community and the broader public to advocate for a safer, more just society.
