Kolkata doctor murder: Protests persist as Mamata Government rejects doctors’ preconditions for talks | Key Updates

PTC News Desk: The West Bengal government on Wednesday rejected key demands from junior doctors, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s presence and a live broadcast, as preconditions for negotiations to end the month-long ‘cease work’ protest. This protest began after the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

On the 33rd day of the protest, doctors held a sit-in outside Swasthya Bhawan in Kolkata. Minister of State for Health Chandrima Bhattacharya expressed the government’s openness to talks but suggested that “political forces” might be fueling the demonstrations. The doctors quickly dismissed these claims, calling them baseless, and vowed to continue protesting until their demands were met, as reported by PTI.

The minister urged the doctors to adhere to the Supreme Court’s order to return to work but did not address whether punitive actions would be taken against those defying the court’s directive.

Simultaneously, RG Kar Medical College postponed a disciplinary hearing for 51 doctors accused of creating a climate of intimidation at the hospital, with the inquiry now scheduled for Friday. Some Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders also began labeling the protesting doctors as “anti-nationals” and hinted at organizing counter-protests.

Key Developments in the Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case:

• Government Invitation for Talks: The Bengal government invited junior doctors to a meeting at Nabanna, the state secretariat, on Wednesday at 6 pm, but did not confirm if Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would attend. Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, in an email, urged the doctors to send a delegation and stressed the need to resume work as per the Supreme Court’s order.
• Doctors’ Preconditions Rejected: The junior doctors continued to insist on preconditions for the talks, including Mamata Banerjee’s presence and a live telecast of the meeting. They also demanded representation by at least 30 doctors, as the movement spans across multiple medical institutions. The government, however, refused to accept any such conditions.
• Continued Sit-In: Thousands of junior doctors from across West Bengal gathered for a second day outside Swasthya Bhawan, turning the area into a hub of protest. Their numbers grew, creating a noisy, vibrant scene demanding justice and safety in the workplace.
• TMC Counter-Protests: Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir announced plans for counter-protests, accusing the doctors of causing suffering to the public. TMC leader Chandan Mukhopadhyay criticized the medics for defying the Supreme Court’s directive, even labeling them “anti-nationals.”
• CBI Investigation Updates: CBI officers questioned Sanjay Roy, a key accused in the RG Kar hospital case, at the Presidency Correctional Home. Other CBI teams also interrogated four junior doctors and senior police officers involved in the initial investigation, as part of the ongoing probe into the incident.
• BJP Support for Justice: Pro-BJP intellectuals, led by actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty, organized a rally demanding justice for the woman doctor. The march, held on the anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s famous speech in Chicago, saw hundreds of participants calling for swift legal action.

The doctors remain firm in their stance and refuse to return to work until their demands are met, prolonging the impasse with the state government.