Arundhati Maitra, a Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA known as Lovely Maitra, has faced intense scrutiny and criticism for her controversial remarks about doctors protesting the recent rape-murder case of a resident trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata. Maitra’s comments, which were captured on video and widely shared on social media, have sparked outrage and drawn legal action.
In the videos posted on X (formerly Twitter), BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala highlighted Maitra’s statements, calling them inflammatory and accusing her of disrespecting the doctors’ protests. He questioned her motives, suggesting that her comments were fueled by her husband’s position as an IPS officer in Kolkata Police, who has been issuing notices and summons to the doctors involved in the protests.
Poonawala also expressed concerns about Maitra’s stance, questioning why she seemed to be against the doctors holding the Mamata Banerjee government and its police force accountable for the alleged negligence surrounding the case. He further pointed out the hypocrisy of the TMC, suggesting that they would likely defend Maitra, much like they did with the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Maitra’s comments, made at a recent party program, were captured in a video posted by Poonawala. In the video, she is heard speaking in Bengali, comparing the protesting doctors to ‘butchers.’ She argued that their protests were impacting the ability of poor and underprivileged people to access medical treatment at government hospitals, particularly those who could not afford private healthcare.
She went on to question the doctors’ humanity and their actions, suggesting that their actions were not humane. Further, she made a veiled threat towards the CPI(M) in West Bengal, warning of revenge in the 2024 elections, according to a Hindustan Times report.
Following the public backlash, Maitra issued a clarification at a press conference on September 3rd. She attempted to downplay her previous comments, stating that doctors are revered as ‘Gods’ by the poor, but expressed concerns about the impact of their protests on patient care. She also criticized the doctors’ decision to protest at Lalbazar (Kolkata Police Headquarters) and questioned why they weren’t demanding action from the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation). She reiterated her call for capital punishment for the perpetrators of the rape-murder case.
Despite her attempted clarification, the TMC has reportedly instructed Maitra to refrain from making such controversial remarks in the future. However, legal action has already been initiated against her. A lawyer has filed a complaint against Maitra at the Sonarpur Police Station in West Bengal for her ‘revenge’ remarks.
The incident has highlighted the volatile political environment in West Bengal and the heightened tensions surrounding the ongoing investigations into the rape-murder case. Maitra’s comments have further fueled the debate over the role of doctors in the healthcare system and the need for accountability in such sensitive cases.
