The horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata has sparked a political crisis in West Bengal, with accusations flying between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The BJP has alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has transferred 43 senior doctors for speaking out against the injustice of the case. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla claims that West Bengal and Kolkata Police have threatened legal action against protesters demanding justice for the victim. The BJP alleges that the TMC government’s crackdown on doctors and media houses, amidst widespread protests, is a sinister attempt to cover up the crime and protect the culprits.
Among the transferred doctors are Dr. Sangeeta Paul and Dr. Supriya Das, who were previously stationed at the hospital where the doctor’s body was found. The reshuffle has been met with outrage from doctors’ associations who see it as an attempt to intimidate senior healthcare professionals.
The BJP also points to the removal of TMC spokesperson Santanu Sen, who had criticized the hospital and its head, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, for alleged mishandling of the case.
Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has led rallies demanding justice for the victim and has placed an ultimatum on the CBI, currently investigating the case, to deliver results by Sunday. She has accused the BJP-Left nexus of instigating the protests that have rocked the state and the country.
The calls for Mamata Banerjee’s resignation have intensified following the incident where a mob stormed the hospital, vandalizing the stage where junior doctors were protesting for security and safety in their workplace. The mob also damaged the emergency department, nursing unit, and medicine store.
In response to the escalating situation, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a nationwide withdrawal of services from 6 am on Saturday, 17 August to 6 am Sunday 18 August.
The Kolkata doctor rape case has become a national issue, highlighting the deep political divisions and concerns over safety and justice in West Bengal. It remains to be seen how the case will unfold and whether justice will be served for the victim and her family.
