Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan strongly criticized the Mamata Banerjee government on Friday, accusing it of systemic failure. His comments followed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s allegation that a conspiracy involving the “Left and Ram” was behind the rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.
In a post on X, Pradhan stated, “West Bengal has repeatedly witnessed systemic failures. Yet, the blame is placed on ‘Bam and Ram’. This is a disgusting, shameful, and reprehensible statement from Mamata Didi. It won’t be long before she blames even aliens for her misrule.”
He continued, “Mamata Didi, relying on appeasement politics, still invokes Lord Ram to cover her failures. Justice must be served, and the perpetrators punished severely. There can be no room for politics in the horrific rape and murder of the junior doctor. Mamata Didi’s attempts to cover up, stifle dissent, and shield those responsible raise serious concerns. Expecting her to ensure women’s safety, speedy trials, and justice is unrealistic.”
In a significant move to protect doctors from violence, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued a notification mandating that in the event of violence against healthcare workers, the head of the institution must file an institutional FIR within six hours.
Meanwhile, four doctors from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital were summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Kolkata as part of the ongoing investigation into the rape and murder of the trainee doctor. Sources indicate that the CBI will interrogate these PG trainees about the events of the night of the incident.
Protests have erupted nationwide, with senior and resident doctors demanding the implementation of a Central Protection Act (CPA) in response to the incident. In Delhi, doctors from Lady Hardinge Medical College and RML Hospital protested, chanting “We want justice” in solidarity with their colleagues in Kolkata.
Dr. Akash from RML Hospital urged doctors and the public to gather at Nirman Bhawan to peacefully present their demands to the government and seek justice for the victim. “We stand with our protesting friends in Bengal… We demand a Central Protection Act. Our protest will continue until we receive assurance from the government that concrete measures will be taken,” he said.
In Assam, junior doctors from Gauhati Medical College and Hospital protested against the incident at RG Kar Medical College. Dr. Anupam Tamuli, General Secretary of the Junior Doctors Association, GMCH, stated, “We want justice swiftly and are demanding a Central Protection Act for healthcare workers. We are protesting by halting non-emergency services, though emergency services remain unaffected.”
In Andhra Pradesh, junior doctors and medical students at AIIMS Mangalagiri staged a protest, including a street play, condemning the rape and murder. Senior resident doctor Dr. Sreeja highlighted the attacks on protesting doctors at RG Kar on Independence Day and called for a transparent CBI investigation. “This is not just a crime against doctors; it’s a crime against women and humanity. The victim’s family deserves adequate compensation, and we demand a Central Protection Act for all healthcare workers,” she said.
In Tamil Nadu, doctors at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital in Trichy wore black badges to protest. Dr. Aruleeswaran of the Trichy Doctors Association said, “We condemn the death of the female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and demand a thorough inquiry and swift punishment for the criminals. Medical professionals need two-tier security, which will also encourage more students to pursue medicine.”
On August 9, a junior doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College. Her family alleged she was raped and murdered, sparking widespread outrage and protests across the medical community and beyond.