In a momentous milestone, junior doctors across West Bengal are debating the future of their ongoing strike, which has hampered healthcare services in the wake of catastrophic occurrences. Following a ten-hour pan-general body (GB) meeting on Thursday night and Friday morning, junior doctors are debating several suggestions that could transform their movements ahead of the approaching Puja celebrations. While the specifics of the discussion remain unknown, insiders say there is a growing consensus among attendees to respect the majority's beliefs and seek alternatives to a full-fledged strike.

The internal debate is obvious, with some members calling for the continuation of the partial work stoppage, while others advocate for a complete withdrawal from the strike, implying the need for a new type of protest that preserves the integrity of their cause. A young doctor, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, "We have also discussed the possible contours of this 'other turn' of the movement at length in GB." Despite their differing viewpoints, nearly all attendees emphasised the need for remaining united and continuing pressure on the state administration, even if the strike is lifted.

As part of their continuous campaigning, junior doctors  plan to march from SSKM Hospital to Dharmatala on Friday, where they may announce their decision on the strike's continuation. According to sources, this event could serve as a platform for the movement's new strategies. "We need to find a way to express our demands effectively, and a march can bring visibility to our cause," said Aniket Mahato, a junior doctors ' spokesman.

During these meetings, top doctors have advised their junior colleagues to consider stepping back from a full-fledged strike and exploring alternative means of agitation. Following a discussion with senior doctors , junior doctors from RG Kar Medical College met to explore probable next steps. A doctor who was more senior said, "It is imperative for the junior doctors to find a middle ground that prioritises patient care while also addressing their concerns."

Public outrage over the terrible rape and murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Hospital, a tragedy that has sparked calls for justice and reform in the medical profession, sets the stage for this campaign. In a moving act of remembrance and protest, junior doctors at RG Kar built a symbolic statue of their late colleague. The fibreglass sculpture, created by artist Asit Sain, acts as a symbol of protest and sadness, exposing the structural faults brought to light by this tragic event.

During a recent conference, Dr. Gauranga Paramanik of Burdwan Medical College emphasised the significance of their deeds, saying, "We have elevated our fellow sister to martyrdom. Her death stunned both the nation and the world. We demand justice for her and everyone who suffers silently." This stance is consistent with the medical community's five-point charter of demands, which includes recommendations for increased safety measures and the elimination of the current threat culture within medical institutions.

Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court has refused to institute a early hearing of a PIL filed against the ongoing junior doctors' strike, asking the court to declare the strike unconstitutional and opposed to Supreme Court directions. According to reports, the Chief Justice's Division Bench rejected a request for an immediate hearing on the strike, directing petitioners to seek remedy before the vacation bench.

Junior doctors ' actions in the coming days, with the possibility of a strategic shift in their approach, might reshape not only their protest activities but also the state's broader discourse about healthcare reform.