Kolkata Trainee Doctor Rape-Murder: W Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed junior doctors during a meeting at the state secretariat today, delivering a heartfelt speech in which she expressed her willingness to step down from her position in the interest of the people. She said that her commitment to the public outweighs her desire for power. Mamata reassured the doctors that no punitive actions would be taken against them, stating that the government is always open to dialogue.
Mamata Banerjee expressed frustration towards people she suggested were orchestrating the protests for their own interests, highlighting the spread of anti-government sentiments on social media. She remarked, "Our government has been insulted. Common people do not realize the political motives behind this."
She concluded by asserting that those who are driving the political agenda "do not seek justice; they seek power."
"In the interest of the people, I am prepared to step down. I do not seek the position of Chief Minister," Mamata stated at a press conference after waiting two hours for the junior doctors' delegation.
The doctors arrived at the gate of the secretariat for a meeting scheduled to start at 5 pm but chose not to enter, as the government had declined one of their requests—the live transmission of the proceedings. The CM explained that live broadcasting could not be permitted because the matter is currently under consideration by the Supreme Court.
The government had agreed to all other requests, including allowing more members in the delegation—33 instead of 15—and accommodating an additional member. While they stated that live transmission could not be accommodated, they assured that the proceedings would be recorded. However, this issue became a significant obstacle to a meeting that many had hoped would resolve the deadlock and pave the way for a return to normalcy.
Mamata Banerjee stated that the doctors were simply following instructions. "I recognize that many in the delegation were open to discussions. However, two or three individuals were issuing instructions from outside. We could observe this since it was being recorded by the press, who were standing right behind them... They were telling them, 'Do not negotiate, do not attend the meeting,'" Mamata Banerjee remarked.
Then with folded hands she said, "I have been sitting here for two hours. I waited yesterday too. Not just me, the senior officials too against whom they are complaining all the time".
She said. "Uttar Pradesh, she said, took action. "We also have ESMA (Essential services Maintenance Act). But I will not do that. I am not a supporter of Emergency".
Her only request, she said, was that the doctors return to work, because the people are suffering - those who needed heart or kidney operations, those who need immediate care, like patients of heart attack or pregnant woman about to give birth.
Today's canceled meeting follows over a month of tension between the doctors and the state government regarding the rape-murder of a young doctor at RG Kar Medical College on August 9. The protesting doctors have accused the government of attempting to downplay the incident and of supporting former Principal Sandip Ghosh, who has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a corruption case.
The protesting doctors have called for several resignations, including that of Kolkata police chief Vineet Goyal and two senior officials from the health department. They have made it clear that they will not back down until their demands are addressed.
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