| In Short |
| Mamata Banerjee met with protesting junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor. |
| Doctors are on strike, demanding justice and live-streamed negotiations with the government. |
| The ongoing protests have resulted in over 29 deaths due to disrupted health services across West Bengal. |
| Banerjee urged doctors to return to work, offering compensation to the families affected by the disruption. |
| The protests continue as the government seeks a resolution to the deadlock. |
Amid growing protests over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a surprise visit to the protest site on September 14, 2024. The junior doctors have been on a cease-work strike demanding justice for the victim, leading to the disruption of medical services across the state.
Banerjee’s visit comes after several failed attempts at negotiations, with the doctors refusing to meet the government unless the discussions were live-streamed. The Chief Minister’s move to personally address the agitating doctors signals her intent to bring the situation under control.
The Protest and Its Impact
The junior doctors initiated their strike following the gruesome rape and murder of a young doctor at RG Kar Medical College in August 2024. The shocking incident has sparked outrage, with medical professionals demanding greater security and accountability from the state government. With health services disrupted for several weeks, over 29 deaths have been linked to the lack of medical care during the protests.
Banerjee acknowledged the loss of life during the protests and announced compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of those who died due to the disruption in services. However, she urged the doctors to return to work, stressing the need for life-saving services to resume across the state.
Mamata Banerjee’s Address to the Doctors
During her visit to the protest site, Mamata Banerjee expressed her support for the doctors’ fight for justice. “I understand your pain. I, too, have come from a background of student movements,” she stated, drawing parallels between her own political journey and the current protests. Banerjee emphasized her commitment to delivering justice for the victim and promised that anyone found guilty would face strict punishment.
Despite her appeal, the doctors remained steadfast in their demands for live-streamed negotiations, a point of contention that has stalled discussions. The government had earlier offered to record the meetings and share them with the Supreme Court, but the doctors were insistent on full transparency through live streaming.
Stalemate Continues, Services Disrupted
The ongoing strike has severely impacted hospitals across West Bengal, with patients suffering from the lack of medical attention. The Supreme Court had earlier directed the doctors to return to work by September 10, but the protests have continued unabated. Mamata Banerjee expressed her frustration over the situation, highlighting the need for essential services to resume while justice for the RG Kar victim is pursued.
The doctors have vowed to continue their agitation until their demands are met, prolonging the crisis and leaving thousands of patients without adequate care.
Mamata Banerjee’s personal involvement in the protests reflects the seriousness of the situation, but with both sides holding firm, it remains to be seen whether a resolution can be reached soon. The situation continues to evolve as negotiations stall and health services remain crippled in the state.
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