Sat Sep 14 16:57:40 UTC 2024: ## Mamata Banerjee Urges Protesting Doctors to End Impasse, Talks Break Down Again
Kolkata, West Bengal – West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a second attempt to resolve the ongoing protest by junior doctors over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. On Saturday, Banerjee invited the doctors to her home for a meeting, but the talks again broke down due to disagreements over recording the meeting.
The Chief Minister, visibly frustrated by the delay, pleaded with the doctors to at least come inside her home for tea. She emphasized that security constraints and the number of doctors present made it impossible to accommodate them all for a meeting.
“We have given you umbrellas, we have made arrangements for you to sit inside. Please come inside and just have some tea at least if you don’t want to talk with me,” Banerjee said.
The protesting doctors, however, remained adamant on their demand for the meeting to be recorded, citing concerns about transparency. They argued that this was not mentioned in the letter inviting them to the meeting.
“Nowhere in the letter, it was mentioned that you wanted the meeting to be livestreamed,” Banerjee countered, adding, “But I assure you that we will record everything and I will provide a copy to you.”
She further reassured the doctors that she would not take any action against them, stating that West Bengal was not like Uttar Pradesh where strikes and rallies were prohibited.
Earlier in the day, Banerjee had made a surprise visit to the protest site at Swasthya Bhavan, promising to look into the doctors’ demands. She reiterated her commitment to resolving the crisis, urging the doctors to return to duty.
The doctors have been staging a sit-in since Tuesday, demanding better security at state-run hospitals and the removal of top officials responsible for the security lapse that led to the tragic incident.
The impasse over the recording of the meeting highlights the growing frustration among the doctors and the ongoing tensions surrounding the case. The Chief Minister’s efforts to resolve the crisis have been met with resistance, raising further questions about how the issue will be addressed and when normalcy will be restored.
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