'Justice For Abhaya, End To Threat Culture...': Kolkata Doctors Agree To Meet Mamata But Conditions Apply

Junior doctors on protest over the rape and murder of a trainee medic at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital finally agreed to hold talks with the West Bengal government on the 33rd day of their cease-work on Wednesday (September 11). But, they set several terms and conditions for the discussion to move ahead in a letter written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

In the email to Banerjee seeking an appointment to resolve the impasse, the most important condition put forward by the protesters is an open-forum discussion that should be telecast live instead of a closed-door meeting. They also demanded speedy justice for the woman doctor, an end to “threat culture” prevalent in all aspects of government healthcare, and adequate safety and security measures for all women health professionals.

Hours later, the chief secretary invited a delegation for a meeting in the evening at state secretariat Nabanna but said only 12 to 15 doctors will be allowed. “Once again, as another opportunity, we invite your delegation preferably consisting of 12-15 colleagues to join us for a discussion at 6 pm today, ie 11.09.2024, at Nabanna. A list of the members of your delegation may please be intimated by email,” said a communication from the state government.

On Tuesday (September 10), the doctors rejected the first invitation from the state government for a meeting at ‘Nabanna’. They said the email came from the state health secretary, whose resignation they were seeking, and termed it as “insulting”.

‘Open for meeting anytime, anywhere’

The agitating doctors sent their first email to the chief minister around 3.55 am on Wednesday, followed by another one in which they listed all their terms and conditions. Another key demand is that representatives from all the government-run medical colleges should be present for the meeting.

Expressing their desire to meet Banerjee in person, they demanded strict disciplinary action against former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh, who is now in jail for alleged financial corruption at the medical institution.

They further mentioned that they were open for the meeting “anytime and anywhere”. “We have written to the CM madam for a meeting, which could be arranged anytime today or tomorrow and anywhere of her choice. But the meeting should be streamed live,” a junior doctor told PTI.

Doctors continue sit-in outside Swasthya Bhavan

After defying Supreme Court orders to resume work by 5 pm on Tuesday (September 10), the doctors have been demonstrating outside the Swasthya Bhavan, which is the headquarters of the state health department office, for more than 22 hours now. They have been demanding that Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, the state health secretary, director of health education (DHE), and the director of health services (DHS) be removed from their posts.

On September 9, the SC directed the protesting resident doctors to resume work and said no adverse action shall be taken against them if they do so. The court passed the direction after the state government assured it that no action, including punitive transfers, shall be taken against the them.

‘Incomprehensible why Mamata Banerjee won’t meet protesting doctors’

In the back-and-forth between the doctors and the state government, the BJP found another opportunity to direct heavy criticism towards the CM. Senior BJP leader Amit Malviya said it is “incomprehensible” that she would not meet the protesters and “hide behind the health secretary and chief secretary”.

“It is incomprehensible why Mamata Banerjee would not the meet the protesting Junior Doctors and hide behind the Health Secretary and Chief Secretary. If she can offer money to the parents of the deceased lady doctor, derail the investigation and erase all evidence, with able support from the Commissioner of Kolkata Police, defend a criminal like Sandip Ghosh, then why not meet the Junior Doctors?” he said in a post on social media platform X.

Malviya further said the doctors’ demands are “minimal and legitimate” and they must be “honoured”. Calling once again for Banerjee’s resignation, he said as the home and health minister of the state, she “alone is responsible” for the RG Kar rape-murder.

“The protesting doctors’ demands are minimal and legitimate. They MUST be HONOURED. Mamata Banerjee must also step down because her continuance in office is a hindrance in a free and fair probe. As Home Minister and Health Minister of West Bengal, she alone is responsible for the rape and murder of the young doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital,” he added.

(With PTI inputs)