The Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) has "temporarily suspended" its nationwide strike following an appeal from the Supreme Court.
The strike was initially called in response to the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's R G Kar Medical College, a case that has sent shockwaves through the medical community.
Earlier on Thursday, the Supreme Court made an impassioned appeal to the striking doctors, urging them to return to their duties.
The Court stressed that both "justice and medicine" are essential and must not be interrupted.
It also assured the doctors that it was taking necessary steps to ensure their safety, directing that no punitive actions be taken against them during the strike.
In response to the Court's plea, FORDA issued a statement urging its members to temporarily halt the strike and resume work starting Friday. However, the association made it clear that this is merely a suspension, not an end to their protest.
FORDA plans to closely monitor the developments concerning their colleagues' demands at R G Kar Medical College and will review their stance in two weeks.
The incident at the Kolkata-based medical college has deeply resonated within the medical fraternity, igniting widespread outrage and leading to a series of protests marked by accusations of injustice, political meddling, and a public outcry on social media.
FORDA has been at the forefront of the "Justice for Abhaya" movement, named after the victim, and expressed its gratitude to the Supreme Court for acknowledging the seriousness of the situation.
FORDA welcomed the Court's decision to establish a National Task Force to address critical issues affecting resident doctors, such as work hours, safety, and living conditions.
"This is a significant and unprecedented step," a FORDA representative stated. The association also thanked its legal team for ensuring that resident doctors have a voice within this newly formed task force.
In its statement, FORDA urged authorities to consider the efforts of resident doctors who were on duty during the strike and requested that no punitive measures be taken against them.
Meanwhile, junior doctors at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi also decided to call off their 'pen down' agitation on Thursday evening. This decision followed an appeal by the Supreme Court and a meeting with the state health minister.
"We are resuming our duties in light of the Supreme Court's appeal and the discussions we had with the health minister," said Ankit Kumar, president of the Junior Doctors' Association at RIMS.
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