Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a surprise move, appealed to the junior doctors protesting outside Swasthya Bhawan over the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor from RG Kar Medical College to return to work. Banerjee assured the protesting medics that their demands would be looked into.
“I have spent sleepless nights knowing that you’re out here in the rain protesting. I assure you, I will look into your demands and ensure justice if someone is found guilty,” Banerjee told the crowd. She also said she was meeting them as their “Didi” (sister) and not as the Chief Minister.
Banerjee, who drew from experiences when she herself had been a student leader, said she understood why the protest was held and promised that nothing would be done to punish the doctors. “Senior doctors need your assistance; I urge you to resume work,” she added.
Protest Continues Despite Appeal
However, junior doctors refused to budge and said they won’t compromise or get back to work without discussions. The protest enters the fifth day as, despite heavy rains, medical professionals are on streets demanding justice for their colleague.
Demand of Protesters
The protesters are demanding the suspension of key officials, including Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, Health Secretary NS Nigam, and the Director of Health Services, accusing them of non-performance of their duties related to the incident of the RG Kar Medical College. The junior doctors have also demanded adequate safety and security for women health professionals throughout the state.
Going against Supreme Court Deadline
The doctors refused to meet a Supreme Court-specified deadline to return to work before 5 pm on September 10. The doctors have been protesting since August 9, and their determination to continue did not waver after Mamata Banerjee’s appeal. Last week, the junior doctors refused to hold talks with the state government at the Nabanna state secretariat after their demands to live-stream the meeting were not agreed to.
The protest is still ongoing, and the situation remains tense, with no resolution in sight as yet.
