New Delhi: Junior doctors in Bengal have agreed to meet chief minister Mamata Banerjee at her Kalighat residence today, following an invitation from chief secretary Manoj Panth. The meeting is scheduled for 5pm, according to an email sent by Panth.
Despite accepting the meeting, the protesting doctors emphasised the need for it to take place in an official venue due to its significant governance implications. They reiterated their demands for full transparency regarding the investigation into the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College. Furthermore, they requested that minutes and a complete transcript of the meeting be recorded and signed by all participants.
‘Importance of videotaping the meeting’
In their email, the junior doctors underscored two key arrests, including Sandip Ghosh and the officer in charge of Tala police station, both linked to the case. In light of these developments, they stressed the importance of videotaping the meeting or at the very least ensuring that a video recording is handed over to representatives of the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Forum (WBJDF) immediately afterwards.
This comes as the doctors continue their protests over the brutal rape-murder in Kolkata on August 9, which has led to widespread outrage across the country. They have maintained that they will not call off their strike until their five main demands are addressed.
These demands include:
- Punishment for all involved in the rape and murder, as well as those responsible for tampering with evidence.
- Disciplinary action against former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh.
- The resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam.
- Adequate security measures for healthcare workers.
- The eradication of the ‘threat culture’ in government healthcare institutions.
Previous invitations from the chief secretary were resisted by the doctors, who insisted on the government allowing live-streaming or videography of the discussions, something that was previously denied.
Earlier in the day, Pant in his mail said that this is fifth and final invitation from the chief minister and their request for live streaming and videography of the meeting would not be granted.
