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At the meeting, Banerjee repeatedly urged the junior doctors to end the fast and said that most of their demands had been considered. However, he rejected the protesting doctors’ demand for removal of the state health secretary.
Pramod Praveen Bhasha, KolkataMon, 21 Oct 2024 04:04 PM share
There was a close confrontation between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and protesting junior doctors at the State Secretariat ‘Nabanna’ on Monday evening to resolve the ongoing deadlock following the rape and murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The meeting took place for two hours. Both sides discussed various demands of the doctors. The meeting, held on the 17th day of the ongoing hunger strike by a section of protesting doctors, was telecast live for the first time from the State Secretariat ‘Nabanna’.
At the meeting, Banerjee repeatedly urged the junior doctors to end their fast and said most of their demands had been considered. However, he rejected the protesting doctors’ demand for removal of the state health secretary.
The Chief Minister asked, “Many junior doctors and medical students at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital were suspended without following proper procedure and rules. How can these students or resident doctors be suspended just on the basis of complaints? Who gave the college administration the right to take such a step without informing the state government? Is this not a ‘culture of bullying’?
Subsequently, agitating doctor Aniket Mahato, who was hospitalized after a five-day hunger strike, countered Banerjee, saying that those who have been suspended have been “part of a culture of bullying and Not fit to be a doctor.”
Mahato said, “If needed, the state government can assess their performance and then take a decision.” Under the guise of being students, these goons have spoiled the atmosphere of the medical college campus. If you recheck their answer sheets, you will find that these students are not even worthy of passing.”
The junior doctor has been on a fast unto death for the past 17 days demanding justice for the deceased doctor and systemic changes in the state’s healthcare structure. Six doctors on hunger strike have been admitted to hospital due to deteriorating health, while eight others are on an indefinite fast. Their demand is that the state government should take concrete action by October 21 to resolve the deadlock. Banerjee has promised to look into their demands.
