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{{short description|Doctor's strike in India in 2019}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2019 Indian doctors' strike
| subtitle =
| partof =
| image =
| caption =
| date = 11 June 2019 – 17 June 2019 (7 days)
| place = [[India]]
| coordinates =
| causes = Lack of security in government hospitals<br />[[Assault]] on two junior doctors at [[Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital|NRSMCH]]
| goals = Provisioning security for [[medical professionals]]<br />[[Public apology]] from the [[Chief Minister of West Bengal]]
| methods = {{hlist|[[Strike action|Strike]]|[[Protest march]]|[[Sit-in]]}}
| status = Stalled
| result = Successful
| side1 = Doctors and medical associations across [[India]]
| side2 = Government of [[West Bengal]]
| side3 =
| leadfigures1 = Various
| leadfigures2 = [[Mamata Banerjee]], [[Chief Minister of West Bengal]]
| leadfigures3 =
| howmany1 =
| howmany2 =
| howmany3 =
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 =
| casualties3 =
| fatalities =
| injuries = 2 junior doctors
| arrests = 5 people
| detentions =
| charged =
| fined =
| casualties_label =
| notes =
| sidebox =
}}

On 11 June 2019, following the assault of two junior doctors at [[Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital]] (NRSMCH) the previous night, junior doctors in [[Kolkata]] began protesting and demanded that the [[List of chief ministers of West Bengal |Chief Minister of West Bengal]], [[Mamata Banerjee]], should intervene and provide adequate security to [[medical professional]]s. The protests caused a collapse of healthcare facilities in the state.<ref name="news18"/><ref name="IndiaToday"/><ref name="NDTV"/><ref name="Telegraph"/><ref name="Telegraph8AM"/><ref name="Business Standard"/><ref name="DNA"/><ref name="HindustanTimes" /><ref name="IndianExpressThu"/><ref name="IndianExpressWed">{{cite news |last1=Kumari |first1=Sweety |title=Doctors at Kolkata hospitals on strike after colleague assaulted by patient's relatives |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/doctors-at-kolkata-hospitals-on-strike-after-colleague-assaulted-by-patients-relatives-5776083/ |access-date=13 June 2019 |work=The Indian Express |publisher=The Indian Express |date=12 June 2019 |language=en-IN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612124737/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/doctors-at-kolkata-hospitals-on-strike-after-colleague-assaulted-by-patients-relatives-5776083/ |archive-date=12 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Firstpost"/> Protests continued through 13 June, despite attempts at mediation, resulting in the chief minister issuing an ultimatum to the protesting doctors.<ref name="NDTVThu"/><ref name="HindustanTimesThu"/><ref name="news18Thu"/><ref name="TheHinduMedicalAssoc"/> The doctors ignored the ultimatum, asking the government to meet their demands for security<ref name="IndiaTodayThu" /> and for the chief minister to give them a public apology.<ref name="TheHindu">{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Shiv Sahay |title=Junior doctors in Kolkata refuse to return to work, situation volatile |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/return-to-work-or-face-police-action-mamata-tells-striking-junior-doctors/article27896818.ece |access-date=13 June 2019 |work=The Hindu |date=13 June 2019 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

==Background==
===Historical incidents===
{{See also|Violence against healthcare professionals in India}}
[[File:Doctors protest for a safe work environment.jpg|thumb|Doctors' protest demanding justice for a fellow doctor who was a victim of mob violence]]
According to an Indian Medical Association survey, due to the increasing reports of violence against doctors, the main source of stress for doctors was fear of violence, followed by the fear of being sued. 62% of the doctors who answered the survey reported that they were unable to see their patients without any fear of violence, and 57% had also considered hiring security staff at their workplace.<ref name="IMAsurvey"/>

When healthcare workers were assaulted, they frequently resorted to peaceful [[strike action|strike]]s, which sometimes included termination of ward and emergency services. During such protests, it was not uncommon for the public to attack the protesters.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Staff |first1=Scroll |title=Four injured after mob attacks protesting doctors outside Burdwan hospital |url=https://scroll.in/latest/926858/four-injured-after-mob-attacks-protesting-doctors-outside-burdwan-hospital |website=Scroll.in |publisher=The Scroll |access-date=14 June 2019}}</ref>

In a tertiary care hospital in [[Delhi]], 40% of the doctors reported being exposed to violence in the last year. The point of delivery of emergency services was the most common place of violence and verbal abuse was the most common form of violence. The most common symptoms experienced by the doctors who were subjected to violence were anger, frustration and irritability. Out of those who were exposed to violence, only 44% reported the incidents to the authorities.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Anand |first1=Tanu |last2=Grover |first2=Shekhar |last3=Kumar |first3=Rajesh |last4=Kumar |first4=Madhan |last5=Ingle |first5=Gopal Krishna |title=Workplace violence against resident doctors in a tertiary care hospital in Delhi |journal=The National Medical Journal of India |date=November 2016 |volume=29 |issue=6 |pages=344–348 |pmid=28327484 |issn=0970-258X}}</ref>

Instances of assaulting medical professionals in government and private hospitals is common in [[West Bengal]]<ref name="HindustanTimes">{{cite news |title=Services hit at Bengal's state-run hospitals as doctors strike work after alleged assault on colleague |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/doctors-at-kolkata-hospital-on-strike-after-kin-of-patient-allegedly-attack-colleague/story-jcXLad8JAeMU7jjZU27zrL.html |access-date=12 June 2019 |work=Hindustan Times |agency=HT Correspondent |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=11 June 2019 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612025656/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/doctors-at-kolkata-hospital-on-strike-after-kin-of-patient-allegedly-attack-colleague/story-jcXLad8JAeMU7jjZU27zrL.html |archive-date=12 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[India]].<ref name="NDTV10pointFri">{{cite news |last1=Shukla |first1=Saurabh |title=300 Doctors Quit In Bengal, Centre Blames Mamata Banerjee: 10 Points |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/west-bengal-doctors-protest-spreads-health-services-hit-in-delhi-mumbai-hyderabad-2053030 |access-date=14 June 2019 |work=NDTV |publisher=NDTV}}</ref>

In an incident in early June 2019, a case was registered against a 17-year-old boy and his friend for allegedly assaulting a doctor at a hospital in Maharashtra after his father died during treatment.<ref name="NDTV10pointFri" /> Even earlier in April 2019, the administration of the Kaushal Sharma Hospital filed a police complaint against the relative of a patient who slapped a doctor.<ref name="NDTV10pointFri" />

===Origin of protests===
Another of these incidents occurred on the night of 10 June 2019 after Mohammed Shaheed, a 75-year-old patient from [[Tangra, Calcutta]], passed away at NRS Medical College.<ref name="IndiaToday">{{cite news |title=How an intern doctor's fractured skull has Kolkata up in arms as BJP blames Trinamool |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kolkata-doctors-protest-nrs-medical-college-1547175-2019-06-12 |access-date=12 June 2019 |work=India Today |publisher=India Today |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612092206/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kolkata-doctors-protest-nrs-medical-college-1547175-2019-06-12 |archive-date=12 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Eleven relatives of the [[deceased]] were upset over the patient's death<ref name="IndianExpressThu">{{cite news |last1=Bhattacharya |first1=Ravik |last2=Kumari |first2=Sweety |title=West Bengal political pot simmers as hospital protests spread |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bengal-political-pot-simmers-as-hospital-protests-spread-bjp-nilratan-sircar-medical-college-5777930/ |access-date=13 June 2019 |work=The Indian Express |publisher=The Indian Express |date=13 June 2019 |language=en-IN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613003850/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bengal-political-pot-simmers-as-hospital-protests-spread-bjp-nilratan-sircar-medical-college-5777930/ |archive-date=13 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> and alleged that he died due to [[medical negligence]].<ref name="IndiaToday" /><ref name="news18" /> They claimed that the body of the deceased was not handed over to them on time.<ref name="IndiaToday" /><ref name="news18">{{cite news |title=Doctors in West Bengal Go on Strike After Colleague's Assault, Demand Full Protection |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/doctors-in-west-bengal-go-on-strike-after-colleagues-assault-demand-full-protection-2182207.html |access-date=12 June 2019 |work=News18 |agency=PTI |publisher=News18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612133320/https://www.news18.com/news/india/doctors-in-west-bengal-go-on-strike-after-colleagues-assault-demand-full-protection-2182207.html |archive-date=12 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Staff at the hospital stated that the relatives also misbehaved with junior doctors.<ref name="IndianExpressThu" /> Shortly after, a mob reached NRSMCH at around 11 pm ([[UTC+05:30]]) and fought with the junior doctors.<ref name="news18" /><ref name="IndiaToday" /> The clashes turned the premises into a "battleground" at night and the morning after as doctors at the facility alleged that over 200 people arrived on trucks<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news |title=Calcutta doctors attacked, BJP leader blames a particular community |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/calcutta-doctors-attacked-bjp-leader-blames-a-particular-community/cid/1692255 |access-date=12 June 2019 |work=www.telegraphindia.com |agency=TT Bureau |publisher=The Telegraph |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612033747/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/calcutta-doctors-attacked-bjp-leader-blames-a-particular-community/cid/1692255 |archive-date=12 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> to assault doctors and destroy hospital property.<ref name="IndiaToday" /> Another account states that the people arrived in cars wearing helmets to attack doctors at the hospital.<ref name="DNA">{{cite news |title=Kolkata doctor attack: Outdoor facility closed across Bengal, clashes reported from Bardhaman medical college {{!}} Latest News & Updates at DNAIndia.com |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/photo-gallery-attackers-came-with-rods-wearing-helmet-kolkata-doctors-recollect-horror-opds-closed-in-hospitals-today-2759893 |access-date=12 June 2019 |work=DNA India |agency=DNA Web Team |publisher=DNA |language=en}}</ref> Two intern doctors, Paribaha Mukhopadhyay and Yash Tekwani,<ref name="Telegraph" /> who were dealing with the protests by the deceased patient's relatives, were injured in the ensuing clashes.<ref name="IndiaToday" /> Yash was admitted at NRSMCH<ref name="IndianExpressThu" /> with Paribaha being admitted in an [[intensive care unit]] at the Institute of Neurosciences in Kolkata after they both suffered head injuries.<ref name="HindustanTimes" /> Paribaha suffered a deep dent in the [[frontal bone]]<ref name="Telegraph" /> as suggested by a CT scan image uploaded by doctors at the hospital.<ref name="Telegraph8AM">{{cite news |last1=Basu |first1=Kinsuk |title=Protests erupt across state after assault on NRS doctors |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/protests-erupt-across-state-after-assault-on-nrs-doctors/cid/1692261 |access-date=12 June 2019 |work=www.telegraphindia.com |agency=The Telegraph |publisher=The Telegraph |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612082823/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/protests-erupt-across-state-after-assault-on-nrs-doctors/cid/1692261 |archive-date=12 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Protests==
===Day 1: 11 June 2019===
On 11 June 2019, at least 50 intern doctors closed the gates of the NRSMCH to protest against the attack on the two junior doctors and demanded that the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, takes adequate action and provides security to doctors.<ref name="IndiaToday" /><ref name="NDTV" >{{cite news |last1=Banerjie |first1=Monideepa |title=Bengal Doctors On Strike After Colleague Attacked For Alleged Negligence |url=https://www.ndtv.com/kolkata-news/protest-at-kolkata-hospital-after-doctor-attacked-over-alleged-negligence-2051294 |access-date=12 June 2019 |work=NDTV.com |agency=NDTV |publisher=NDTV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612064515/https://www.ndtv.com/kolkata-news/protest-at-kolkata-hospital-after-doctor-attacked-over-alleged-negligence-2051294 |archive-date=12 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Business Standard">{{cite news |title=Junior doctors threaten strike in Bengal on Wednesday |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/junior-doctors-threaten-strike-in-bengal-on-wednesday-119061101258_1.html |access-date=12 June 2019 |work=Business Standard India |agency=IANS |publisher=Business Standard |date=11 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611180042/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/junior-doctors-threaten-strike-in-bengal-on-wednesday-119061101258_1.html |archive-date=11 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The doctors alleged that the police took no action after the two junior doctors were assaulted the previous night.<ref name="NDTVThu">{{cite news |last1=Varma |first1=Shylaja |title=Get Back To Work: Mamata Banerjee's 4-Hour Ultimatum to Striking Doctors |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-issues-4-hour-ultimatum-to-junior-doctors-in-bengal-protesting-over-attack-on-collea-2052539 |access-date=13 June 2019 |work=NDTV |publisher=NDTV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613090230/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-issues-4-hour-ultimatum-to-junior-doctors-in-bengal-protesting-over-attack-on-collea-2052539 |archive-date=13 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The West Bengal Doctors' Forum proposed to stop all work at the outpatient departments of all state-run hospitals in West Bengal from the next day.<ref name="Business Standard" /> A member of the forum also added that emergency services would remain active at all hospitals.<ref name="Business Standard" />

===Day 2: 12 June 2019===
As protests entered the second day on 12 June 2019, patients across West Bengal were left without healthcare as junior doctors continued with the strike. On the same day, the agitation of intern doctors at the NRSMCH spilled over to all thirteen state-run hospitals and medical colleges in the city and at least six other district hospitals,<ref name="IndianExpressThu" /> causing disruption of regular medical services.<ref name="IndiaToday" /><ref name="NDTV" /> Affected hospitals included the Calcutta National Medical College Hospital, Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, SSKM Hospital, R G Kar Hospital, and medical colleges in Murshidabad, Midnapore, North Bengal and Bankura.<ref name="IndianExpressThu" /> All departments, including outpatient departments and pathological laboratories were shutdown following the protests of the junior doctors. Protestors said that work will not resume at the hospitals until full protection is given to medical professionals.<ref name="news18" /><ref name="IndiaToday" /> Contrary to statements by the Doctors' Forum, emergency wards in at least three state-run hospitals, NRSMCH,<ref name="Telegraph" /> SSKM Hospital<ref name="TelegraphSSKM">{{cite news |last1=Mandal |first1=Sanjay |title=Doctor's strike: Never seen emergency ward shut down, says physician |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/west-bengal/doctor-s-strike-never-seen-emergency-ward-shut-down-says-physician/cid/1692384 |access-date=14 June 2019 |work=The Telegraph |publisher=The Telegraph |language=en}}</ref> and Burdwan Medical College remained closed.<ref name="DNA" />

====Mediation====
West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) president and [[All India Trinamool Congress|AITC]] [[Member of legislative assembly|MLA]] Nirmal Maji told [[Press Trust of India]] (PTI) that officials were trying to convince the doctors to resume work.<ref name="news18" /> While the protestors requested direct intervention from the chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, only her deputy, [[Chandrima Bhattacharya]], Minister of State for Health, visited NRSMCH. There were meetings between doctors and representatives of the state government. A spokesperson for the government stated that the Chief Minister was herself monitoring the situation. Mamata Banerjee's nephew, [[Member of Parliament|MP]] [[Abhishek Banerjee (politician)|Abhishek Banerjee]] also appealed to the doctors to resume work. However, mediation was not successful and protests continued.<ref name="IndianExpressThu" />

====Planned protests====
Medical associations across the country threatened to strike on June 14 to protest over the rising violence against doctors, which is predicted to hit medical services across the country.<ref name="TheHinduMedicalAssoc">{{cite news |title=AIIMS resident doctors to boycott work on June 14 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/aiims-resident-doctors-to-boycott-work-on-friday/article27898785.ece |access-date=13 June 2019 |work=The Hindu |agency=PTI |date=13 June 2019 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref name="Livemint">{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Neetu Chandra |title=Medical services across country to be hit as doctors threaten strike |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/medical-services-across-country-to-be-hit-as-doctors-threaten-strike-1560438062398.html |access-date=13 June 2019 |work=Livemint |publisher=Livemint |date=13 June 2019 |language=en}}</ref> [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences]] (AIIMS) Resident Doctors' Association declared a boycott on June 14 in line<ref name="TheHinduMedicalAssoc" /> with the directions of the [[Indian Medical Association]] (IMA) which directed all its state branches to stage protests and wear black badges on the day.<ref name="TheHinduMedicalAssoc" /><ref name="Livemint" /> The IMA asked state presidents and secretaries to organise demonstrations at their respective district collectors' officers between 10 am and 12 noon.<ref name="TheHinduMedicalAssoc" /><ref name="Livemint" /> The Delhi Medical Association (DMA) also called for a full medical strike on the day to protest against the assault of the doctors.<ref name="Livemint" /><ref name="TheHinduMedicalAssoc" />

===Day 3: 13 June 2019===
As protests entered the third day on 13 June 2019,<ref name="Firstpost">{{cite news |title=Doctors' strike in West Bengal enters third day, Out Patient Departments in Siliguri hospitals to remain shut |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/doctors-strike-in-west-bengal-enters-third-day-out-patient-departments-in-siliguri-hospitals-to-remain-shut-6806201.html |access-date=13 June 2019 |work=Firstpost |agency=Asian News International |publisher=Firstpost |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613105309/https://www.firstpost.com/india/doctors-strike-in-west-bengal-enters-third-day-out-patient-departments-in-siliguri-hospitals-to-remain-shut-6806201.html |archive-date=13 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> all outpatient departments of government hospitals remained closed,<ref name="NDTVThu" /> with only senior doctors manning emergency wards and outpatient departments at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata and Burdwan Medical College.<ref name="HindustanTimesThu">{{cite news |title=Get back to work, Mamata Banerjee sets a deadline for Bengal's striking doctors |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/resume-work-in-4-hours-mamata-banerjee-warns-striking-doctors/story-pu48M2VBO5yaAKEbY8GCzH.html |access-date=13 June 2019 |work=Hindustan Times |agency=HT Correspondent |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=13 June 2019 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613095528/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/resume-work-in-4-hours-mamata-banerjee-warns-striking-doctors/story-pu48M2VBO5yaAKEbY8GCzH.html |archive-date=13 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite the ultimatum, protests continued with junior doctors stating that the agitation will continue until their demands for security<ref name="IndiaTodayThu" /> and a public apology from the Chief Minister are met.<ref name="TheHindu" /> Resident doctors at the AIIMS in [[Delhi]] worked on 13 June with bandages on their heads as a symbolic protest.<ref name="Livemint" /><ref name="TheHinduMedicalAssoc" />

====Ultimatum====
On 13 June 2019, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee issued an ultimatum to the doctors on strike to return to work within 4 hours<ref name="HindustanTimesThu" /> (by 2 pm local time).<ref name="NDTVThu" /> She made the statement while visiting the state-run SSKM Hospital to talk to the junior doctors on strike. Speaking about the doctors, she said, "They are outsiders. The government will not support them in any way. I condemn doctors who have gone on strike. Policemen die in line of duty but the police don't go on a strike,"<ref name="news18Thu">{{cite news |title='Return to Work or Vacate Hostels': Mamata Issues 4-Hour Ultimatum to Protesting Bengal Doctors |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/return-to-work-or-vacate-hostels-mamata-issues-4-hour-ultimatum-to-protesting-bengal-doctors-2184763.html |access-date=13 June 2019 |work=News18 |publisher=News18}}</ref><ref name="NDTVThu" /><ref name="HindustanTimesThu" /> further adding that the strike will not be tolerated.<ref name="TheHindu" />

====Resignations====
At late night, the principal and medical superintendent of NRSMCH, Professor Saibal Mukherjee and Professor Sourav Chatterjee stepped down from their positions.<ref name="ScrollFri">{{cite news |title=West Bengal doctors' agitation: NRS Medical College principal and medical superintendent resign |url=https://scroll.in/latest/926967/west-bengal-doctors-agitation-nrs-medical-college-principal-and-medical-superintendent-resign |access-date=14 June 2019 |work=Scroll.in |agency=Scroll Staff |publisher=Scroll.in}}</ref> They submitted their resignation via email to the state director of medical education.<ref name="ScrollFri" /><ref name="EiSamayResignations">{{cite news |title=Kolkata doctors' strike: এনআরএস কাণ্ডে অধ্যক্ষ ও সুপারের ইস্তফা |url=https://eisamay.indiatimes.com/west-bengal-news/kolkata-news/kolkata-doctors-strike-principal-medical-superintendent-of-nrs-medical-college-resign-as-logjam-continues/articleshow/69778178.cms |access-date=14 June 2019 |work=Eisamay |publisher=Ei Samay |date=13 June 2019 |language=bn}}</ref>

===Day 4: 14 June 2019===
On June 14, 2019, the DMA organized a statewide medical strike in Delhi.<ref name="NDTV10pointFri" /> Resident doctors at [[AIIMS New Delhi]] and [[Safdarjung Hospital]] boycotted their work.<ref name="NDTV10pointFri" /> In [[Maharashtra]], around 4,500 resident doctors suspended outpatient departments, wards and diagnostic services from 8 am to 5 pm.<ref name="NDTV10pointFri" /> Emergency services at either places were not hampered.<ref name="NDTV10pointFri" /> Doctors also staged a protest at the [[Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences]] in [[Hyderabad]].<ref name="NDTV10pointFri" /> Protests in West Bengal went into the fourth day as outdoor facilities, emergency wards and pathological wards of many state-run hospitals remained closed.<ref name="NDTV10pointFri" /><ref name="TOIFri" /> More than 700 doctors resigned from state-run hospitals,<ref name="TOIFri">{{cite news |last1=Jun 15 |first1=TNN |title=West Bengal doctors strike: Bengal healthcare in coma as over 700 doctors quit {{!}} India News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bengal-healthcare-in-coma-as-over-700-doctors-quit/articleshow/69796333.cms |access-date=16 June 2019 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> with dozens of doctors from [[Darjeeling]] and Kolkata resigning to protest the violence against doctors.<ref name="NDTV10pointFri" /><ref name="NDTV10pointSat" />

====Planned protests====
The IMA called for a nation-wide strike on 17 June 2019.<ref name="NDTV10pointFri" /><ref name="NDTV10pointSat" /> The association also stated that it will ask [[Ministry of Home Affairs|Union Home Minister]] [[Amit Shah]] and [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] to bring a central law to prevent violence against doctors.<ref name="NDTV10pointFri" />

===Day 5: 15 June 2019===
As protests entered 15 June 2019, the doctors were protesting for the fifth straight day.<ref name="NDTV10pointSat" /> The Federation of Resident Doctors' Association stated that 15 hospitals in Delhi held protests.<ref name="NDTV10pointSat" /> The AIIMS Resident Doctors' Association issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the West Bengal government.<ref name="NDTV10pointSat">{{cite news |title=Mamata Banerjee's Return To Work Appeal Turned Down By Doctors: 10 Points |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bengal-doctors-reject-mamata-banerjees-offer-for-talks-10-points-2053623 |access-date=15 June 2019 |work=NDTV |publisher=NDTV}}</ref> Around 246 resignations were given by doctors working in various government hospitals in West Bengal.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://m-timesofindia-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/m.timesofindia.com/india/200-more-doctors-quit-as-logjam-continues/amp_articleshow/69807550.cms?amp_js_v=a2&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQA#referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s |title = 200 more doctors quit as logjam continues - Times of India}}</ref>

==Aftermath==
As of 14 June 2019, five people have been arrested in connection to the assault of the two junior doctors.<ref name="TheHindu" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/dispatches/article27881601.ece|title=Doctors on strike in Bengal, health services hit badly|last=Chattopadhyay|first=Suhrid Sankar|website=Frontline|language=en|access-date=2019-06-14}}</ref><ref name="IndiaTodayFri">{{cite news |title=Kolkata doctors' strike: Mamata Banerjee writes fresh letter to doctors, assures necessary action |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kolkata-doctors-strike-mamata-banerjee-letter-necessary-action-1549189-2019-06-14 |access-date=14 June 2019 |work=India Today |publisher=India Today |language=en}}</ref> The Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that the bail prayers of the arrested were rejected.<ref name="IndiaTodayFri" />

The incumbent Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee alleged that the protests are the result of a conspiracy between the [[Left Front (West Bengal)|Left Front]] and the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP).<ref name="NDTVThuPol">{{cite news |last1=Sanyal |first1=Anindita |title=Mamata Banerjee Versus BJP Plays Out In Bengal Doctors' Strike |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/amid-doctors-strike-in-bengal-accusations-of-hindu-muslim-politics-2052687 |access-date=13 June 2019 |work=NDTV |publisher=NDTV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613123240/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/amid-doctors-strike-in-bengal-accusations-of-hindu-muslim-politics-2052687 |archive-date=13 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2019/06/13/mamata-calls-doctors-strike-bjp-cpim-conspiracy-issues-ultimatum.html|title=Mamata calls doctors' strike BJP, CPI(M) conspiracy, issues ultimatum|website=The Week|language=en|access-date=2019-06-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614002627/https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2019/06/13/mamata-calls-doctors-strike-bjp-cpim-conspiracy-issues-ultimatum.html|archive-date=2019-06-14|url-status=live}}</ref> She stated that she held the BJP responsible and accused BJP party leader and [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Union Home Minister]], [[Amit Shah]] of "creat[ing] confusion and communal tension in the state".<ref name="IndiaTodayThu">{{cite news |last1=Kundu |first1=Indrajit |title=It is Amit Shah: Mamata Banerjee blames BJP for communalising Kolkata doctors' strike {{!}} EXCLUSIVE |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mamata-banerjee-nrs-doctors-strike-1548165-2019-06-13 |access-date=13 June 2019 |work=India Today |publisher=India Today |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613131937/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mamata-banerjee-nrs-doctors-strike-1548165-2019-06-13 |archive-date=13 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The state BJP chief, [[Dilip Ghosh (politician)|Dilip Ghosh]] then alleged that the Chief Minister is not taking action against the people who assaulted the doctors, because they are "her voters".<ref name="NDTVThuPol" />

== See also ==
* [[Violence against healthcare professionals in India]]

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="IMAsurvey">{{cite news |last1=Perappadan |first1=Bindu Shajan |title=Majority of doctors in India fear violence, says IMA survey |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/majority-of-doctors-in-india-fear-violence-says-ima-survey/article19198919.ece |access-date=14 June 2019 |work=The Hindu |date=2 July 2017 }}</ref>
}}

{{#seo:
|keywords=Protests in India, Protest marches, Health in West Bengal
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[[Category:2019 labor disputes and strikes|India]]
[[Category:Protests in India]]
[[Category:June 2019 events in India|Doctors]]
[[Category:2019 in Indian politics|Doctors]]
[[Category:Protest marches]]
[[Category:Health in West Bengal]]

2019 India doctors' strike - Revision history

CleanupBot II at 17:10, 13 August 2023