The parents of the victim in the horrific rape and murder case of a young doctor in Kolkata have lashed out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her call to focus on Durga Puja festivities amid ongoing protests. The doctor’s family expressed their deep anger and hurt, stating that they will never be able to celebrate any festival again.
Banerjee, during a public address on Monday, urged citizens to return to their celebrations and let the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) complete the investigation. This statement, however, was met with sharp criticism from the doctor’s family. They accused Banerjee of being insensitive and questioned her priorities in the face of such a tragic incident.
The family, who have been vocal in their demand for justice, questioned why Banerjee would prioritize festivities over the pain and grief of a family who has lost their daughter. They also questioned her sincerity, asking if she would have made the same statement had the victim been a member of her own family.
Adding to the growing controversy, the doctor’s father revealed that they approached the CBI because they were not satisfied with the state government’s handling of the investigation. He expressed deep dissatisfaction with the role played by Chief Minister Banerjee.
Banerjee, in her defense, refuted allegations that she offered monetary compensation to the deceased doctor’s family, calling them slanderous lies and a conspiracy by the central government and certain Left parties. She challenged anyone to provide proof of such claims, stating that it was an attempt to defame her government.
The doctor’s mother, however, vehemently refuted Banerjee’s claim, stating that she was indeed offered money and accused the Chief Minister of lying. She emphasized that while no amount of money could bring back her daughter, she would accept the compensation only after justice was served.
Amidst the growing outrage and demand for the resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, who is facing accusations of mishandling the case, Banerjee revealed that Goyal had offered his resignation on multiple occasions in recent weeks. However, she had persuaded him to stay on due to the upcoming Durga Puja festival. This revelation further fueled criticism of the Chief Minister’s priorities and handling of the situation.
The West Bengal government, in a bid to defuse the tensions, invited the protesting junior doctors for talks on Wednesday. This followed a mail sent earlier in the day by the doctors demanding a meeting with the government to discuss their grievances. The meeting is scheduled for 6 pm at the state secretariat.
This incident has sparked widespread outrage and protests across the nation, highlighting the deep-seated anger and frustration with the handling of the case and the perceived insensitivity of the authorities.
