Sat Sep 14 21:58:04 UTC 2024: ## Talks Collapse: West Bengal Doctors and CM Banerjee at Impasse Over Live-Streaming
KOLKATA: A planned meeting between protesting junior doctors and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee collapsed on Saturday evening due to a dispute over live-streaming the discussions. The doctors, who have been demanding greater security and accountability following the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College, refused to enter the CM’s residence unless the meeting was live-streamed.
Despite a heartfelt plea from Banerjee, who waited for the doctors for three hours, the impasse remained. She offered to video-record the meeting and share the footage after receiving court permission, citing the ongoing legal case. However, the doctors, who initially agreed to forego live-streaming after being assured they would receive minutes of the meeting, were then told to leave as it was too late.
The doctors expressed deep disappointment, claiming the government’s actions reflected a lack of seriousness in finding a solution. A video shared by the junior doctors showed a state health minister telling them to leave, adding to the frustration.
The incident marks the latest setback in the ongoing deadlock between the protesting doctors and the West Bengal government. Banerjee’s surprise visit to the protest site earlier on Saturday had raised hopes for a breakthrough. She had expressed empathy with the doctors and promised to address their demands, including the removal of officials deemed responsible for the safety lapse at the RG Kar hospital.
The doctors, however, remain steadfast in their demands for greater accountability and security measures. The situation continues to highlight the deep frustration within the medical community and the mounting pressure on the West Bengal government to address the issue effectively.
First Piper 