Mamata’s Final Attempt: CM’s Plea for Doctors to Resume Work Amidst Protests
Kolkata, 14th September 2024: In an unexpected move to resolve the standoff between her government and protesting doctors, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the protest site on Saturday, where medical professionals have been staging a sit-in.
The protests began after the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata last month. Since Tuesday, doctors have been demonstrating outside Swasthya Bhavan, the West Bengal health department’s headquarters. Attempts to initiate dialogue between the state and the protestors have faltered, particularly due to the doctors’ insistence on live-streaming any negotiations.
Banerjee arrived at the protest site and adopted a conciliatory approach, requesting to address the doctors amidst their slogan-shouting. In Bengali, she said, “Give me five minutes to speak, then you can shout slogans, it’s your democratic right. Despite my security team’s advice, I came here to honour your protest. I, too, have been part of movements. Your voice is powerful. You endured the rain, and I couldn’t sleep because I felt for you.”
Acknowledging the protests that had persisted for over a month, she urged the doctors to resume work, assuring them that the government would seriously consider their demands.
“I will review your concerns. I don’t make decisions alone; I will consult the chief secretary, home secretary, and police director general. Those responsible will be held accountable. Justice will be served for Tilottama (the pseudonym for the victim). I request the CBI to expedite their investigation. Please allow me time to address your demands. If you trust me, let’s have a discussion, and I will look into it,” she pledged.
Banerjee also emphasized the impact on patients, noting that many lives were at risk due to a lack of medical care. She appealed to the doctors’ sense of responsibility, urging them to return to work while promising no retaliatory action.
“I will ensure justice. Committees with both senior and junior doctors will be formed in each hospital. No one guilty will be spared, as they aren’t my associates. Please deliberate and return to work; I will not take any punitive measures. In other states, such action was taken, but I will not follow suit. I understand how essential your contributions are.”
Banerjee called this her “final attempt” to resolve the crisis and made a heartfelt plea, “As your ‘didi’ (elder sister), not as the chief minister, I am asking you to trust me. I am on your side. I’ve protested myself—26 days on hunger strike during the Singur movement—but no one from the previous government came to hear me.”
In response to her address, some doctors chanted “We want justice.” While welcoming Banerjee’s outreach, the protesters desired a “transparent” meeting, referring to their demand for a live telecast of future discussions.
