Kolkata: Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, paid an unexpected visit to the junior doctors’ protest site in Salt Lake and declared that it was her “last effort” to end the 37-day standoff between her administration and the striking medical professionals.
CM Mamata Banerjee made a surprise visit to the junior doctor’s protest site
“I would once more urge you to have discussions and make a choice. This is my final attempt. If you leave the rest to me, I can assure you that you will get justice.” Banerjee stated while speaking to the junior doctors who were protesting and requested them to go back to work.
Since August 9, junior doctors in West Bengal have been striking in protest at the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
“On September 17, the Supreme Court will hear the case. I want nothing bad to happen to you. Even though I am a party member and the chief minister, I have come to you as your elder sister. I’ve come as your didi. I urge you to give me some attention. I have resolved your issues in past as well. I’ll do it again. Give me a little time,” she continued.
The chief minister paid an unexpected visit at around 1pm but she was unable to speak for the first few minutes as the protesting doctors’ raised slogans, demanding justice for the victim, she had to ask the demonstrators to stop and give her some space.
“I, too, am a product of the student movement and have endured much suffering. I sympathize with the pain and support protests. It rained a lot yesterday evening. You have endured pain all night long. “I couldn’t even get any sleep,” she remarked.
The doctors have asked the government for five things: justice for the victim of RG Kar; resignation of Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal; suspension and removal of several top health officials including the state health secretary; sufficient safety measures in hospitals; and an end to the “threat culture” in medical facilities.
“I promise that I will discuss your demands with my officers. I shall consider your requests sympathetically. The government is not run by me alone,” Banerjee remarked.
There were slogans calling for the victim’s justice throughout the chief minister’s speech.
“I also desire justice for the victim.” I’ll ask the CBI to make sure the offender gets the death penalty within three months.
According to her, the government has begun to improve hospital infrastructure and would reorganize the Rogi Kalyan Samities in each and every hospital. Representatives from the police, nurses, junior and senior doctors will be present in the samities.
” The culprits are neither my friends nor my enemies. Some of you believe that I am friends with some of the accused. They are unknown to me. I’m not related to them,” she declared.
I would respectfully ask that you consult among yourselves, make a decision, and get back to work. I refuse to take action in any way. I am not like the police in Uttar Pradesh. For a period of six months, they enforced the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), prohibiting strikes and protests, according to Banerjee.
According to the administration, the junior doctor strike has resulted in at least 29 deaths because patients were not receiving appropriate medical care.
“I am aware of your workload. You are necessary to us. As a fellow warrior, I’ve come to the protest location. Have faith in me and trust me. Please give me some time. Nothing gets done in a single night. We will look into any issues you may have. An individual cannot be punished without a valid reason. “I will definitely take action if investigations show that the person is guilty,” Banerjee declared.
She claimed that no one from the previous government came to see her when she went on a 26-day hunger strike to protest the acquisition of farms in Singur.
“Justice will be served. Go to CBI and make a justice demand. I can’t force you. All I can do is advise you.
I had also gone 26 days without eating, but no one from the government at the time came to talk to me. I came to you since I believe that this won’t diminish my position it would only encourage me,” she remarked.
The junior doctors praised the chief minister’s action and declared that they were available for talks at any time or place.
“We applaud the change. However, we won’t back down from our five requests. She has come all the way. She is the state’s guardian. We want to hold talks at any time and place. We want to hold the talks as soon as possible, ” said one of the protesting doctors Aniket Mahata.