'Generic letters, no legal validity': West Bengal on doctors' mass resignation

Junior doctors have been protesting since the gruesome rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August and some of them are on a fast-unto-death.

Over 200 senior doctors from government hospitals across the state submitted mass resignation letters amid the indefinite fast observed by junior doctors in Kolkata and Siliguri since October 5.

On Saturday, the number of fasting doctors grew to 10 as more joined the protest, according to an NDTV report.

Despite the mass resignations, senior doctors emphasized that they are still treating patients to ensure healthcare services continue during the Durga Puja celebrations.

Alapan Bandyopadhyay, Chief Advisor to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, addressed the issue, stating that the resignations hold no legal value as they do not follow the required format governed by service rules.

"There has been some confusion recently over the so-called 'resignations' of senior doctors working in government medical colleges and hospitals. We have been receiving certain letters that do refer to 'mass resignation' as a point of reference and certain pages without any mention of the subject have been annexed to them. These annexed, subjectless papers do indeed contain some signatures without the designations mentioned," Bandyopadhyay was quoted as saying by NDTV.

"Resignation is a subject between the employer and the employed to be discussed in terms of specific service rules. So these press releases or these bunches of signatures of people whose identities have not been spelt out in detail in all the papers... this kind of a generic letter has no legal standing. Each page has to be signed by the individual who is tendering such an important paper and the matter has to be seen as one between the employer and the individual employee," he emphasized.

The senior doctors had stated that their resignations were intended to pressure the state government into addressing the junior doctors' demands.

Dr. Sunit Hazra, an orthopedic surgeon at RG Kar Medical College, told PTI that the resignations were symbolic and aimed at encouraging dialogue with the government.

He stressed that the doctors would continue treating patients as part of their duty.

Dr. Hiralal Konar, joint convener of the platform of doctors in West Bengal, added that the symbolic resignations went viral among doctors after witnessing the government’s inaction despite the junior doctors' hunger strike.

He expressed hope that the state would engage in discussions before the health of those fasting deteriorates further.

Some senior doctors have warned that they may submit individual resignations if the state government does not take action soon.

The number of medics on hunger strike has risen to 10, including two doctors fasting at North Bengal Medical College in Siliguri.

In a show of solidarity, the Resident Doctors’ Association of AIIMS in New Delhi wrote to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her to address the junior doctors' concerns, the NDTV report said.

The association warned the West Bengal government that it could "escalate its actions" if there was further deterioration in the condition of the doctors observing hunger strike and if the demands of the junior doctors are not met by Monday.

"The indefinite hunger strike undertaken by the members of the West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front (WBJDF) highlights serious issues that require immediate attention. We stand in solidarity with our colleagues who are advocating for justice and a secure working environment for healthcare professionals in your state," the letter said, according to the report.

"The deteriorating health of these junior doctors is a matter of grave concern. We earnestly request you to recognise the urgency of the situation and engage in a constructive dialogue to address their legitimate grievances... Their demands, which we have carefully reviewed, are reasonable and achievable through prompt and decisive action from your esteemed office," the association added.

"Should there be any further harm to the doctors on hunger strike or if their demands are not met by October 14th, 2024, we will have no option but to escalate our actions in solidarity with our fellow healthcare professionals. We sincerely hope that your government will act in time to prevent such a step, which would involve a nationwide response that could affect healthcare services across the country," the association said.