Vikrant Shekhawat : Sep 14, 2024, 10:20 PM
Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: The strike movement of junior doctors is increasing after the rape and murder of a trainee female doctor at RG Kar Hospital in West Bengal. This development has given rise to serious concern about the health system in the state. The agitating doctors had demanded a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on this issue, which is now finally being held.Meeting at Chief Minister's residenceA delegation of about 30 doctors reached the residence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee located in Kalighat area at around 6.45 pm. However, the government had invited 15 doctors for the meeting, and in such a situation it will be seen how many doctors will be able to attend this meeting.Agitators' persistenceThe doctors present at the protest site have made it clear that they will not make any kind of compromise on their five major demands. They say that they have already placed their demands before the government and they are not in favor of any kind of laxity on these. An agitating doctor said in reference to the meeting, "We will attend the meeting with our representatives. We will put forward our five demands. We are going to the meeting with an open mind, but our demands will not be reduced in any way."Chief Secretary's e-mail and Chief Minister's assuranceIn an e-mail sent by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, it was said that a delegation of 15 junior doctors is invited to the Chief Minister's residence in Kalighat for discussion with an open mind. After this e-mail, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee suddenly reached the protest site and met the doctors and assured action against the culprits. A few hours later, the agitating doctors expressed their desire to talk to the Chief Minister.Demand for transparencyThe agitating doctors have also demanded a live telecast of the meeting, so that the transparency of the process is maintained. He said that transparency is one of the main demands of their movement. West Bengal 'Junior Doctors Front' wrote in its mail, "We are grateful to you that you have shown goodwill by coming among us in this bad weather and sharing your views with us. We take this as a welcome step towards smooth discussion on our five-point demands.''Key demandsThe key demands of the doctors include better security in government hospitals and suspension of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goel, Health Secretary NS Nigam, Director of Health Services and Director of Medical Education in connection with the incident at RG Kar Hospital. A Kolkata Police man was arrested the next day in connection with the rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor at RG Kar Hospital. The incident is being investigated by the CBI following an order of the Calcutta High Court.ConclusionThis agitation by junior doctors is not only about their security but it also raises questions on the functioning of the state's health system. It will be important to see what will be the outcome of the process of meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, but the demand for transparency and sensitivity cannot be ignored during this time.