In response to the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's speech at the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) foundation day rally on Wednesday, protesting doctors and students at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital asserted that her "threat" would not diminish their spirit.
“CM Mamata Banerjee must remember that it’s not a mere protest by junior doctors of RG Kar anymore. It’s a mass movement where people from all sections of life are now involved,” Dr Sourav Roy, a protesting junior doctor, told THE WEEK.
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“The government will commit a big mistake if it decides to threaten us and oppress us. It will only motivate us to continue our struggle.”
Dr. Shreya Shaw, a resident doctor at RG Kar, expressed the collective stance of all protesters, stating that the movement will persist until the motive and modus operandi of the events that took place on August 9 are made public.
“Yes, the CBI is now investigating the matters. But we made some demands to the state government as well. Why hasn’t the CM taken any action against Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal? His force couldn’t stop evidence tampering on the campus,” Dr. Shaw said.
She also asserted that the West Bengal government is yet to fulfil their demand of ensuring the safety and security of doctors in their workplaces.
“The state is asking us not to work night shifts. It’s an admission that the state government cannot provide us security during the night,” she said, referring to one of the guidelines in the West Bengal government’s newly-launched “Rattirer Sathi” program, which focuses on enhancing women’s safety in their workplaces.
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On Wednesday, CM Banerjee urged the striking junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, as well as those at other institutions, to return to work to ensure that poor people do not lose access to medical care. She said, "I always supported junior doctors and it will continue. They provide many essential services."
However, she added, "You have protested, and I haven't taken any action against you, nor do I intend to. I understand you may feel anger or sadness, and that you seek justice. But, it's time to gradually return to work. Although the Supreme Court has empowered the state government to act, I choose not to, as I want you to focus on your studies."
She said filing an FIR against someone could ruin their future as they won’t have opportunities elsewhere, won’t be able to get a passport, and won't secure a visa.
“Our government, however, has a compassionate approach. We aim to nurture more doctors with this humane perspective,” the Trinamool supremo said.
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On Thursday, the West Bengal Chief Minister clarified via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that her statement was not intended against students but against the BJP.
But the protesters at RG Kar responded to her speech by saying that had the state government taken action on August 9 and during the night of August 14 when the institution was vandalized, the situation might not have turned to what it has become today.
Senior doctors are also firmly standing behind their pupils. “You have to continue the movement no matter what. We will manage both indoor and outdoor services,” said Dr Dilip Kumar Das of general surgery department at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, during a convention on Thursday.
Dr Das, however, urged the students to find a way to partially resume their duties in the Emergency department while continuing their movement.
