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The ongoing protests at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata took a significant turn as protesting doctors met with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at her residence. The meeting, which was initially scheduled for 5 pm, began at 6:20 pm with a contingent of approximately 30 doctors arriving at Banerjee's residence, escorted by a police vehicle. The doctors, who had been pressing for live streaming of the meeting, ultimately agreed to the government's compromise of recording and signing the minutes of the talks. This decision came after the government cited Supreme Court hearings as the reason for declining their live-streaming request.
The crux of the doctors' demands centered around accountability for the tragic rape-murder of a postgraduate trainee at the hospital on August 9th. They sought punishment for those responsible, a thorough investigation into the destruction of evidence, and the resignation of several officials, including the former medical college principal, Sandip Ghosh, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, and Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam. Additionally, the doctors demanded improved security measures for healthcare workers and the eradication of the 'threat culture' prevalent in government healthcare institutions.
The meeting was further heightened by the arrest of the Tala police station OC by the CBI. The doctors believed this development underscored the need for transparent dialogue, emphasizing their request for videographic recording of the meeting. While the government seemed unwilling to fully comply, they agreed to have the meeting's minutes recorded and signed by both parties. The protesting doctors expressed their unwavering commitment to achieving their five demands, leaving the outcome of the meeting uncertain but signaling their steadfast pursuit of justice and safety within the healthcare system.
Source: RG Kar case: Protesting doctors meet Mamata Banerjee at her residence