The ongoing protests by junior doctors in Kolkata, sparked by the horrific rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Hospital, have taken a dramatic turn with accusations of a planned attack on the protesting medics. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh has publicly accused Left and Ultra-left youth organisations of orchestrating this attack, claiming it’s a ploy to tarnish the reputation of the West Bengal government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Ghosh’s accusations, supported by audio clips he posted on social media, suggest a coordinated effort to disrupt the protests. The audio clip, though generic in nature, involves two individuals discussing a plan to attack the doctors’ gathering in Salt Lake, presumably to disrupt their protest. One individual expresses concerns about the potential for violence, highlighting the doctors’ role in saving lives, while the other emphasizes the need to create a bigger stir by blaming the protesting doctors.
The TMC leader’s claims have led to immediate action by the Kolkata Police. Taking suo moto cognizance of Ghosh’s allegations, the police arrested CPI(M) leader Kalatan Dasgupta for allegedly hatching a conspiracy to attack the protesting doctors. Another individual, Sanjiv Das, was also arrested in south Kolkata.
While the authenticity of the audio clips is yet to be independently verified, the arrests underscore the serious nature of the accusations and the potential for escalating tensions. The doctors have been protesting for over a month, demanding better security in state-run hospitals and the removal of top officials responsible for the safety lapses that led to the tragic death of their colleague. The protest has been marked by a standoff between the doctors and the TMC government, with the government claiming that 29 people have died due to delayed treatment as a result of the doctors’ protest.
The ongoing protests, now further complicated by these accusations and arrests, highlight the deep-rooted divisions within West Bengal politics and the precarious situation surrounding the doctors’ demands for accountability and improved safety within the state’s healthcare system.
