Kolkata: The fast-unto-death strike by six junior doctors at Esplanade entered its third day on Monday. They are protesting the rape and murder of their colleague at R.G. Kar Medical College Hospital.

On Sunday night, a seventh junior doctor, Aniket Mahato from R.G. Kar joined the hunger strike. He explained his reasons for participating in the protest. “Since six of our colleagues from different medical colleges & hospitals volunteered to begin the hunger strike, some people had been questioning why no one from R.G. Kar was among those six. Probably, they forgot that the plight of the junior doctors because of the existing ‘threat culture’ is not just limited to R.G. Kar. That is why those raising the question tried to create confusion among people,” said Mahato.

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Initially, Mahato and another junior doctor, Ashfaqulla Nair, arrived at the protest site with plans to join the hunger strike, but after discussions, Mahato decided to proceed with the fast-unto-death for now.

The six doctors who began the hunger strike on Saturday evening include Pulastya Acharya from N.R.S. Medical College and Hospital, Tanaya Panja, Snighdha Hazra, and Anustup Mukhopadhyay from Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, Sayantani Ghosh Hazra from K.P.C Medical College and Hospital, and Arnab Mukhopadhyay from S. S. K. M Medical College and Hospital.

Interestingly, while these seven doctors are on a hunger strike, their fellow colleagues have resumed their medical duties, ending their previous work stoppage. On Monday morning, a group of 15 senior doctors visited the hunger strike location to show their support. They announced that they would also participate in a 24-hour hunger strike to stand in solidarity with the junior doctors.

To ensure transparency, the protesting doctors have set up CCTV cameras at the protest site. They have also installed two bio-toilets - one for female protesters and another for male protesters - without waiting for permission from the Kolkata Police.

Agency