Bengal government declares mass doctor resignations as legally invalid
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The West Bengal government has announced that the recent mass resignations submitted by over 200 senior doctors in support of their junior colleagues on a hunger strike have no legal standing.
The state clarified that the letters, which were symbolic, do not comply with the formal process required for resignations under service rules.
Junior doctors across West Bengal, particularly at RG Kar Medical College and other government hospitals, have been protesting since the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in August. The protest escalated on October 5 when some of them began an indefinite fast. As of Saturday, 10 junior doctors were on hunger strike, with their health deteriorating.
In response to the protests, many senior doctors submitted mass resignation letters this week.
However, Chief Advisor to the West Bengal Chief Minister, Alapan Bandyopadhyay, stated that these resignations are not legally binding because they lack the necessary details and proper format. He emphasized that resignations must be between the employee and employer, adhering to specific service rules.
Several senior doctors have clarified that their actions were symbolic and intended to press the government to engage with the protesting junior doctors. They assured the public that healthcare services would continue during the festive Durga Puja period.
Dr. Sunit Hazra, an orthopedic surgeon at RG Kar Medical College, explained that the resignations were a means to push the government into discussions but were not intended to disrupt patient care. Meanwhile, Dr. Hiralal Konar, joint convener of the joint platform of doctors in West Bengal, highlighted the urgency of addressing the hunger strikers' demands, warning of potential individual resignations if the situation remains unresolved.
The health of the doctors on strike has been steadily declining, with some requiring critical care.
The Resident Doctors' Association of AIIMS in New Delhi has expressed solidarity, urging West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to intervene and address the junior doctors' concerns. They warned that failure to resolve the issue by October 14 could lead to a nationwide response, potentially impacting healthcare services across India.
