Last updated: September 15, 2024, 10:30 (IST)
File photo of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (Image: PTI) Right: Junior doctors protesting in Kolkata (Screenshot/ANI).
Junior doctors asked for records of the meeting, but the government refused.
Refusing an invitation for tea from Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, junior doctors in Kolkata continued their protest at Swasthya Bhawan on Sunday, demanding justice for their colleague who was raped and murdered last month. “We were asked to attend a public dialogue in Kalighat and we went there. When we went there, we compromised on our demand that the meeting be held live,” said Dr Aqib, spokesman for the protesters.
“Meeting over tea”
“Chief Minister Mamata came outside and asked us to meet over tea, but the junior doctors said they would have tea if justice was to be achieved. We then gave up on our demand for records and asked for the minutes of the meeting, but were told it was too late and nothing could be done,” he added.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal | Dr Aqib, who was part of the delegation that went to meet Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, said, “…we were asked to come for a public dialogue at Kalighat and we went there. When we went there, they even compromised on our demand to hold the meeting live… pic.twitter.com/0Iivi7vhUK — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2024
“What Sandip Ghosh has achieved”
The spokesperson stressed the need for accountability in the Kolkata rape-murder case following the arrest of Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Khar Medical College and Hospital, and Abhijit Mondal, in-charge of Tala police station. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Ghosh and Mondal on Saturday for allegedly delaying submission of the investigation report and tampering with evidence in connection with the murder of a trainee doctor.
The CBI investigation revealed inconsistencies in the timeline provided by police, raising allegations of a cover-up. Dr Aqib said Ghosh’s arrest justified their demand, saying, “What Sandip Ghosh did is organised crime. We want the resignation of all those involved in it.” He recalled frustrating talks with the Bengal government which did not lead to any solution.
The junior doctors demanded that the meeting be recorded, but the government refused, leading to their decision to walk out without an agreement. Meanwhile, Ms Banerjee offered to record the meeting, but the doctors refused, insisting that the recordings would be managed by the government. Amid calls for live streaming of the discussion, the Bengal Chief Minister invited the agitating doctors, who had come to her residence for consultations, to join the meeting.
“I request you all to come inside and attend the meeting. As the matter is under trial in the court, live streaming cannot be allowed. The meeting will be video recorded and a copy will be given only after obtaining permission from the Supreme Court,” she said while urging students to go inside and avoid getting wet in the rain.
