The much-anticipated meeting between protesting junior doctors and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was canceled on September 14, 2024, marking another chapter in the ongoing saga over the tragic rape and murder case at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The crux of the contention was the doctors’ insistence on live-streaming the discussions, a demand the state government has repeatedly denied, citing the matter as sub judice.
The day began with high hopes as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally appealed to the doctors, visiting their protest site earlier in the day. “I came to meet you as your ‘Didi,’ not as the Chief Minister,” she said, urging them to return to work and resolve the crisis. However, despite her efforts, the meeting at her residence ended in disappointment as the doctors left without any dialogue taking place.
The doctors, who have been protesting for justice and better security measures following the heinous crime, were firm in their demand for transparency through live broadcasting. Mamata Banerjee, on her part, offered signed minutes of the meeting as an alternative to videography or live streaming, a compromise that was initially considered but ultimately rejected by the doctors.
“This is not just about us; it’s about justice for our colleague and ensuring safety for all healthcare workers,” a representative of the doctors’ delegation told reporters after leaving the CM’s residence. The frustration was palpable, with some doctors visibly emotional, feeling that their demands for transparency were not being met.
The impasse has once again highlighted the deep-seated issues within the healthcare sector’s administrative framework in West Bengal and brought to light the government’s handling of public protests.
Mamata Banerjee, known for her direct engagement with the public, seemed visibly affected by the day’s events. She questioned the doctors’ refusal to meet without live streaming, asking, “If you did not want to attend the meeting, then why did you come?”
Meanwhile, the CBI has arrested the Tala police station officer Abhijit Mondal and RG Kar Hospital’s former principal, Sandhi Ghosh, over tampering with the evidence.