Kolkata: A tense stand-off continues between junior doctors and the West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, over the recent rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. Junior doctors have taken to the streets, staging strikes and demonstrations to demand justice, while Mamata Banerjee has called for an end to the protest and a return to work.
On Thursday, State Chief Secretary Manoj Pant extended an invitation to the agitating junior doctors for a fresh round of talks. However, after waiting for over two hours with no sign of the doctors being willing to meet, Mamata Banerjee held a press conference where she apologised to the public and made an emotional appeal for the doctors to resume their duties.
Mamata Banerjee’s Plea for Dialogue
Speaking to the media, Banerjee stated, “They did not come seeking justice; they came for a chair. I am ready to resign for the sake of the people. I do not want the post of Chief Minister; I want justice for the victims. The common people deserve justice.” She further lamented the death of 27 people who could not receive medical treatment due to the ongoing strike, stating, “My heart cries for everyone. We consider doctors as gods.”
A 30-member delegation of junior doctors had arrived at Nabanna, the state secretariat, but insisted on a live broadcast of their discussions, a demand the state administration refused. This impasse has caused a breakdown in communication between the two sides, further complicating the situation.
A Struggle for Transparency or Power?
The refusal to allow a live telecast has been a sticking point in the negotiations. “No formal meeting or discussion can be live-streamed,” said State Director General of Police Rajiv Kumar. Chief Secretary Manoj Pant reiterated this stance, explaining that the government would not make the contents of the meeting public.
Amid the deadlock, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) released a photograph of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee waiting at the Nabanna auditorium, suggesting that success in this matter can only be achieved through dialogue. “The West Bengal government has made multiple attempts at collaborative discussions,” the TMC statement read, “but it seems junior doctors are not prioritising these efforts.”
Banerjee, visibly frustrated, said, “We have been waiting for three days with senior officials. We want justice. We want justice for the treatment of common people.”
Opposition Criticism Intensifies
The situation has also drawn criticism from opposition leaders. BJP leader Amit Malviya accused Mamata Banerjee of “ignoring the protesting junior doctors and cancelling the meeting.” He charged that the Chief Minister’s refusal to allow a live stream of the proceedings indicated a fear of transparency. “She unilaterally cancelled the meeting, blamed the junior doctors for patient deaths, and targeted them through the press,” Malviya stated.
Malviya further alleged that Banerjee’s government was culpable for the patient deaths due to what he termed the failure of the Swasthya Sathi scheme, describing it as a “much-publicised but failed” initiative. He also criticised the government for “arrogance, lack of transparency, and rampant corruption” in its medical institutions.
Calls for Accountability and Resignation
Governor CV Ananda Bose also weighed in, stating that the Chief Minister, who also holds the portfolios of Home Minister and Health Minister, had failed in her duties. “She is the Lady Macbeth of Bengal,” he said, referring to the political drama unfolding in the state. “There is violence on the streets, in hospitals. There is violence everywhere. Allegations of a criminal nature have been levelled against the Kolkata Police Commissioner at the highest level.”
Following the unsuccessful attempt at dialogue, Mamata Banerjee held another press conference before leaving Nabanna, followed by the State Director General of Police and the Home Secretary. The junior doctors also left Nabanna, stating that they had trusted the administration, which was why they had initially agreed to talks.
The Path Ahead
As the deadlock persists, it remains unclear how the conflict will be resolved. The junior doctors continue to demand justice and accountability for the rape and murder of their colleague, while the state government insists on ending the strike to restore normalcy in healthcare services. The situation in Kolkata remains volatile, with both sides showing no signs of backing down.
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