The ongoing protests by doctors at West Bengal’s RG Kar Hospital escalated on Wednesday as they rejected Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s invitation for a closed-door meeting to resolve the impasse. The agitating doctors, who have been on a ‘cease work’ strike for over a month, are pressing for justice following the alleged murder of a fellow doctor at the hospital. Despite a Supreme Court deadline, the protest continues.
Protesting Doctors Stand Firm, Reject Closed-Door Talks
Doctors at RG Kar Hospital have been vocal about their refusal to attend the closed-door meeting offered by the West Bengal government. Dr Aqeeb clarified the reason behind their decision: “The mail we received mentioned a meeting with senior government officials, but it was a closed-door meeting. We rejected the invite as we are against such meetings.”
Their stance has been supported by many in the medical fraternity, who believe transparency is essential for any resolution. The doctors have made it clear that they are not opposed to dialogue but demand an open and transparent discussion.
Also read: Bengal Doctors Defy Supreme Court, Demand Government Action
Key Demands of the Protesting Doctors
The protesting doctors have outlined five core demands in a letter to the Chief Minister’s office. Among these are:
- Resignations of those obstructing justice in the ongoing investigation.
- Recognition of elected representatives in the medical college council, not appointed ones.
- Immediate elections within the medical administration.
- While the doctors remain open to talks with state authorities, they assert that their demands must be addressed before any resolution can be reached.
Government’s Response and Next Steps
West Bengal Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya expressed disappointment over the doctors’ refusal to meet CM Banerjee. “The Chief Minister was waiting for them, but no one came,” she said. Despite this, the government has indicated that the door remains open for future discussions.
The CM was scheduled to review the state’s health system and meet with senior health officials to address security concerns at medical facilities. However, the deadlock continues, with no immediate resolution in sight.
Also read: Victim’s Family Questions Mamata Banerjee’s Handling of RG Kar Medical College Tragedy
Victim’s Family Demands CBI Probe
The family of the deceased trainee doctor, whose alleged rape and murder sparked the protests, has also voiced dissatisfaction with the state’s handling of the case. The victim’s father called for a CBI investigation, stating: “We are not satisfied with the CM’s role. We believe multiple people from the department are involved, and justice needs to be served.”
As the protest enters a critical phase, with doctors refusing to back down and the state government urging dialogue, the impasse is far from resolved. The coming days will be crucial in determining the future of healthcare services in West Bengal and whether the demands of the protesting doctors will be met.
