Jawhar Sircar, a Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament, has announced his resignation from the Rajya Sabha, citing the government’s inadequate response to the recent rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R.G Kar Hospital in Kolkata. His decision, which was made public on September 8, 2024, comes as a significant blow to the ruling party in West Bengal.
Sircar’s resignation letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed his deep disappointment with the government’s handling of the situation, calling on her to “save the state.” He specifically criticized the lack of decisive action taken by the government to address the crisis, including the ongoing agitation of doctors protesting the hospital administration’s response to the crime.
Sircar expressed his expectation that Banerjee would intervene in the “old Mamata style,” referring to her known history of taking direct action in times of crisis. However, he stated that he felt the government’s response was delayed and insufficient, arguing that a swifter and more decisive approach could have restored normalcy more quickly.
In his letter, Sircar also stated his intention to completely withdraw from politics after his resignation, highlighting his disillusionment with the current political climate.
Following Sircar’s announcement, Banerjee reportedly reached out to him and requested that he reconsider his resignation. However, it seems Sircar remains steadfast in his decision, with reports indicating he is set to formally submit his resignation to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar in Delhi on September 11.
The incident that sparked Sircar’s resignation occurred on August 9, 2024, when a trainee doctor was found raped and murdered at R.G Kar Medical College and Hospital. The subsequent investigation revealed allegations of a cover-up attempt by the hospital’s ex-principal, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, who allegedly tried to portray the murder as a suicide.
The victim’s family also faced delays in viewing the body, and the First Information Report (FIR) was filed about 14 hours after the body was discovered. These delays and allegations of a cover-up have further fueled public outrage and criticism of the government’s handling of the case.
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh, while acknowledging Sircar’s decision and recognizing his status as “the greatest bureaucrat from West Bengal,” maintained that Sircar’s choice is a personal matter and he has the right to make it.
Sircar’s resignation is likely to have significant political ramifications, further highlighting the growing discontent within the TMC over the government’s response to the tragic incident. It remains to be seen how the ruling party will address the rising public anger and the implications of losing a prominent figure like Sircar.
