The ongoing protests led by junior doctors in West Bengal have taken a significant turn, with many questioning how long the movement can sustain itself and where it is heading. In the face of mounting pressure, the doctors have decided to change their tactics while continuing to advocate for a prompt and impartial investigation into the allged murder and rape of a young doctor at RG Kar Medical College. The protest's evolving techniques and underlying motivations have sparked heated debate, not only among medical professionals but also among the general public.

The recent developments revolve around junior doctors' decision to formally halt their statewide strike. The declaration came late Friday night, after a 10-hour general body (GB) discussion that started on Thursday evening and concluded early Friday morning. Despite calling off the strike, the junior doctors made it clear that their fight is far from over.

"We are withdrawing the strike," Debashis, a spokesperson for the junior doctors, said during a press conference on Friday night.

"However, we will continue our struggle for justice. The struggle for justice does not end here. We will continue to stage dharna until our demands are met,” he added.

One of the most iconic gestures of the ongoing protest was the placement of a giant clock on stage during the sit-in at Dharmatala's Y Channel. The doctors said that the clock symbolised the deadline to the state government to act in the case!

"Time is of the essence," Debashis explained. "We will forced to resort to fast until death if our demands are not met within the next 24 hours."

The junior doctors have consistently said that their demonstrations stem from concerns about patient care. They have claimed popular support since the movement's inception. However, the extended strike raised concerns about the impact on healthcare services, especially for those who are forced to rely on government institutions. 

During the demonstration on Wednesday, which coincided with Mahalaya, the junior doctors carried banners underlining their commitment to patient care. Many in their ranks claimed that the administration was attempting to portray them as insensitive to patients, a narrative they fiercely opposed. "The government wants to create a rift between patients and doctors," they said while addressing the media. "But the fight is against the government."

Throughout the strike, the junior doctors claimed that they continued to provide critical care services. "We are providing urgent care in both outpatient and inpatient settings," their advocate, Indira Jaising, stated at a Supreme Court hearing on September 30. The doctors' assurance played a crucial role in reducing public criticism of the strike, particularly because they implemented measures to safeguard emergency services.

Not everyone agreed on the decision to end the strike. According to insiders, the GB gathering on Thursday night sparked heated debate. During the eight-hour deliberations, many junior doctors advocated for a change of direction. Some claimed that continuing the strike would alienate public support, while others believed that applying pressure through direct action was the only way to achieve security of both healthcare workers as well as patients.

Finally, people viewed the decision to withdraw the strike as a compromise—a way to defuse the situation while sticking to the movement's main objectives. "We have the people's support," one junior doctor stated. "But we must consider alternative strategies so that the support continues."

The junior doctors also criticised the government's management of hospital resources, particularly intensive care unit (ICU) beds.

"Are ICU beds unavailable because doctors failed to provide them?" one protester posed rhetorically. Government policy determines the number of beds allocated to each hospital, not doctors on the ground. This critique stems from a broader dissatisfaction with the state government's health policies, which many junior doctors believe have exacerbated the current issue.

Despite the strike being withdrawn, the junior doctors have stated that they will escalate their protest if their demands are not met. One of the more drastic suggestions under consideration is a hunger strike, which has previously been utilised to highlight social inequalities in India.

At Friday's press conference, one protestor declared, "We will risk our lives if our demands remain unfulfilled within the next 24 hours." This stern ultimatum emphasises the junior doctors' sense of urgency and determination as they become increasingly agitated by what they perceive to be government inaction.

The junior doctors' 10-point manifesto, carried during their procession from SSKM Hospital to Dharmatala, outlines a number of demands, including increased security for medical professionals, an impartial investigation into the events that led to their colleague's death, and accountability from state officials.

Tensions between junior doctors and the Kolkata Police have also risen in recent days. During Friday's march, police officers allegedly confronted a junior doctors and forcefully tried to drag them away. Social media was rife with videos where the agitators were seen arguing with a police official with video footage demanding apology from Kolkata Police and fix accountability for the incident.

"Apologies are due from the cops," one doctor stated during the march. "The police officer who is 'accused' should appear and apologise unconditionally."

The conflict with law enforcement reflects a deeper distrust between junior doctors and state officials. Many junior doctors believe the administration is attempting to undermine their movement by pitting them against the public and portraying them as obstructionists. This perceived deception has only fueled their determination to continue their protest, even if it entails taking more drastic actions like a hunger strike.

The junior doctors’ protest has taken on a broader importance in the state. What began as a movement to seek justice for one of their own has evolved into a broader critique of the state government's health policy and public service delivery. Senior doctors, cultural therapists, social professionals, and even Rickshaw drivers joined the protest, demonstrating the extent of public dissatisfaction with the current administration.

For many in West Bengal, the junior doctors' struggle has become a symbol of a larger campaign for justice, accountability  and responsibility. "This is not just about doctors," stated one rallygoer. "This is about standing up for what is right and demanding that the government do its job."

As the junior doctors prepare to proceed with their protest, the question remains: how far will they go to achieve their objectives? The possibility of a hunger strike looms big, and the administration must now make a vital decision: fulfil the junior doctors' demands or risk escalating tensions.

One protester stated, "This is more than just a fight for justice for one doctor." This is a fight for the dignity and safety of West Bengal's people, including healthcare personnel."