The ongoing protests in Kolkata over the brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor took a new turn on Saturday evening as protesting doctors demanded live streaming of their meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Despite the Chief Minister’s earlier visit to the protest site and her call for the doctors to resume work, the impasse continued. The protesting doctors, who had sent a mail to the state government expressing their wish to hold talks, insisted on having their own videographers present during the meeting. However, their request was denied, adding to the growing tension between the protesting doctors and the state government.
The protesting doctors, who arrived at the Chief Minister’s residence by bus, were initially informed that only 15 representatives would be allowed to attend the meeting. However, all 30 doctors were eventually allowed inside. The doctors had previously requested the meeting be held at their protest site near Swasthya Bhawan, but the Chief Minister stated that her visit was not in her official capacity but as their ‘didi’ (elder sister).
The protesting doctors have put forth a list of demands, including accountability and punishment for those responsible for the rape-murder and the destruction of evidence. They have demanded strict action against the former medical college principal, Sandip Ghosh, and the resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam. The junior doctors have also emphasized the need for improved security for healthcare workers and the eradication of the ‘threat culture’ within government healthcare institutions.
One of the agitating doctors told PTI, “We are willing to hold a meeting with the chief minister anywhere and anytime to resolve the impasse. We welcome her visit to us this afternoon. This is a very positive move. We have sent a mail to the state government.” Meanwhile, the parents of the victim have also expressed their support for the protesting doctors’ demands. The victim’s mother told ANI, “We want the CM to accept the 5-point demands of junior doctors and find a solution. I see that the administration, police administration, health department all are at fault. The junior doctors are suffering a lot, we want a solution as soon as possible by talking to them and accepting their demands.” The ongoing standoff between the protesting doctors and the state government remains unresolved. The doctors’ refusal to end their strike unless they are allowed to live stream their meeting with the Chief Minister highlights the growing sense of distrust and dissatisfaction among healthcare workers in the state. The situation is being closely watched as the demands for accountability and justice continue to resonate across Kolkata.
