'Videography, Minutes...': Mamata Govt Agrees To Conditions of Bengal Doctors, Meeting Today

In another email to the Mamata Banerjee government, the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front (WBJDF) on Monday stated that they are ready to meet with the Chief Minister with two professional transcript writers from their side, who will take minutes and transcribe the entire meeting. Ahead of the meeting at the Kalighat residence, the state government today agreed to the conditions set by the WBJDF.

This came shortly after the protesting doctors, in response to a letter from the state government, stressed the importance of holding the meeting in an official setting due to its governance-related nature. They reiterated their demands for transparency in the probe of the rape-murder case of the trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College. They also requested that the minutes be recorded and signed by all attendees.

“…we would like to reiterate that, as per point 3 of our email sent at 15:53 on 16/9/24, WBJDF representatives are prepared for the meeting with two professional transcript writers from our side to take minutes and transcribe the entire meeting. The transcript should be signed by all attendees and handed over to WBJDF representatives immediately at the end of the meeting,” the protesting doctors said in a new mail. “We are ready for the meeting at the earliest and anticipate your cooperation,” they added.

Three Conditions

• Videography of the meeting by a separate videographer by both parties
• The entire video file of the meeting is to be handed over to WBJDF representatives immediately after the meeting.
• Minutes with the full transcript of the meeting to be recorded and formulated by both parties will bring their own minutes and transcript takers for the meeting) and duly signed by all attendees and handed over at the end of the meeting as stated by CM previously.

Two Key Arrests

In their email, the junior doctors highlighted two significant arrests, including that of Sandip Ghosh, linked to the case, and the officer in charge of Tala police station. Given these developments, they stressed the need for both parties to videotape the meeting or, if that is not feasible, for a complete video file to be provided to WBJDF representatives immediately after the meeting.

This invitation came as the junior doctors continue their protests against the brutal rape-murder that occurred in Kolkata on August 9, which has sparked nationwide outrage. The doctors have maintained their demands for justice and accountability while emphasising that they will not cease their strike until their five-point demands are met.

What Are The 5 Demands?

• Punishment to all those involved in the rape and murder of the trainee doctor as well as destruction of evidence
• Disciplinary action against former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh
• Resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam
• Adequate security arrangements for healthcare workers
• Eliminating ‘threat culture’ prevailing in government healthcare institutions

Earlier, the Bengal Chief Secretary’s previous invitations had been met with resistance from the junior doctors due to the government’s refusal to allow live-streaming or videography of the discussions.