The junior doctors of Bengal have officially withdrawn their indefinite hunger strike after a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This decision, announced in Kolkata, comes after weeks of protests that began following the tragic rape-murder of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Debashish Halder, a representative of the protesting doctors, stated, "In today's meeting, we did get the assurance of some directives, but the body language of the state government was not positive." The doctors had received strong support from the public, including the family of the deceased, who urged them to prioritize their health and call off the hunger strike.

The protests escalated to an indefinite hunger strike on October 5 after an earlier 50-day cease work, with a 10-point demand list that remains largely unmet. Key demands include justice for the RG Kar hospital victim, the removal of Health Secretary N S Nigam, improved workplace security, and essential infrastructure enhancements.

During a two-hour live-streamed meeting with the Chief Minister at the state secretariat Nabanna, major points of contention arose regarding the removal of Health Secretary Nigam and the suspension of 47 doctors from RG Kar hospital, accused of fostering a "threat culture." While the Chief Minister previously denied the request for Nigam's removal, the doctors claimed to possess documentation supporting their allegations of irregularities.

Sandipta Chakraborty from N.R.S. Medical College countered the Chief Minister's stance, stating that anyone facing complaints can be termed as "accused," pending further investigation.

The hunger strike had seen many doctors requiring medical attention, with volunteers stepping in to maintain the protest's momentum. Tensions peaked during the Durga Puja festival, where police detained several individuals for chanting "We want justice" at a pandal, and attempts to hold awareness rallies were obstructed.

While the hunger strike has ended, the doctors remain vigilant, continuing to advocate for necessary reforms in the healthcare system in Bengal.