Junior doctors in Kolkata ended a 17-day hunger strike on Monday, protesting the rape and murder of a colleague in the eastern Indian city. The doctors called off their strike in response to an appeal from the victim’s parents, according to local reports.
Several participants in the strike had suffered severe dehydration and were hospitalized.
The protest drew attention to the safety concerns faced by medical professionals in India.
During the protest, representatives of the striking doctors met with Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, a state that has faced criticism over its handling of sexual violence cases. The doctors called for improved security and working conditions at government hospitals, as well as swift justice for their colleague.
The rape and murder, which occurred in early August, sparked nationwide protests throughout August and September. A police volunteer was arrested in connection with the crime.
