In a protest that has been termed unique, the fast-unto-death of six junior doctors at Esplanade in Kolkata, protesting the rape and murder of one of their colleagues at the state-run R. G. Kar Medical College Hospital, entered its second day on Sunday. While these six junior doctors, three women and three men, have gone on fast unto death, their colleagues resumed duties for the patients at their respective medical colleges and hospitals.
"We have withdrawn our cease-work agitation keeping in mind the interest of the patients. But at the same time six of us have started the hunger strike agitation to send a message to the state government of not succumbing unless our demands are fulfilled," said a representative of the West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front, the umbrella body spearheading the movement of the junior doctors against the heinous crime. Meanwhile, Pulastya Acharya, one of the six fasting doctors, said on Sunday that they have sought permission from the Kolkata Police to set up a bio-toilet near the hunger-strike venue.
"We have clearly stated that the bio-toilets would be used only by those participating in the hunger strike. But the police did not respond to our application. On Saturday alone, we had tried to get the same, but the police did not permit us," Acharya said. Acharya of N.R.S Medical College & Hospital is joined by five other junior doctors who are fasting, including Tanaya Panja, Snighdha Hazra and Anustup Mukhopadhyay from Calcutta Medical College & Hospital, Sayantani Ghosh Hazra of K.P.C Medical College & Hospital, and Arnab Mukhopadhyay of S.S.K.M Medical College & Hospital. "We never thought that setting up a simple bio-toilet would lead to so much complication. Now we are using the public toilet at a distance from the hunger-strike venue. Come what may, we will continue with our protests," Arnab Mukhopadhyay said.
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