West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has offered to resign amidst mounting protests by junior doctors demanding justice for a murdered colleague. The protests, sparked by the gruesome rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, have intensified the political controversy surrounding the case.
On Thursday, Banerjee made the extraordinary offer during a press conference following a tense two-hour standoff between the state government and protesting doctors. The protests, which have been ongoing for over a month, were triggered by the murder of a 31-year-old doctor on August 9. The case has not only shocked the local community but also prompted widespread demonstrations by healthcare professionals and women’s groups across the country.
Protests and Political Tensions
The junior doctors, who have been on strike demanding justice, arrived at the state secretariat for talks with the Chief Minister. However, their demand for live-streaming of the negotiations led to a standoff, with the doctors waiting outside the auditorium while Banerjee and her officials waited inside.
In her press conference, Banerjee declared, “I am even willing to resign for the sake of the people. I don’t want the chief minister’s post. I want the people to get justice, Tilottama (the rape victim) to get justice, and for the common people to receive medical treatment.” Her comments came after the delegation of doctors refused to enter the meeting room due to the government’s inability to live-stream the talks, citing ongoing Supreme Court and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) proceedings.
Doctors’ Response and Ongoing Strike
The protesting doctors have stated that they never demanded Banerjee’s resignation. Instead, their focus remains on securing justice and addressing their five key demands:
- Justice for the murdered doctor.
- Action against officials allegedly involved in tampering with evidence.
- Accountability for former RG Kar Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh.
- Resignation of Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal.
- Creation of a safer environment for doctors in West Bengal.
Despite the Supreme Court’s directive for the doctors to return to work by Tuesday, the strike continues as the demands remain unmet. The health department’s recent directive to list junior doctors who resumed work has further fueled the tensions, with senior doctors threatening to join the strike if punitive measures are taken.
Government’s Position and Future Steps
In her address, Banerjee criticized the political motives she perceives behind the protests, accusing some elements of seeking her resignation rather than focusing on justice. She apologized to the people of West Bengal, acknowledging the crisis in healthcare facilities and the impact on patients.
Banerjee has emphasized that the government has not taken any disciplinary action against the striking doctors and remains open to further negotiations. She expressed her reluctance to employ emergency measures like the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), which bans strikes by government employees.
The Chief Minister’s offer to resign and her stance on the protests have intensified the political discourse in the state, with both sides remaining firm in their positions. The strike by junior doctors and the broader implications for the state’s healthcare system continue to unfold, drawing national attention to the situation.
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