Mamata Banerjee Extends ‘Final’ Invitation to Protesting Doctors for Talks

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has issued a final invitation to the junior doctors protesting the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The meeting is scheduled for 5 PM today at her Kalighat residence.

Chief Secretary Manoj Pant said that this is the “fifth and final” invitation for dialogue. In an email to the protesting doctors, Pant urged them to attend with an “open mind.”

The letter outlined that previous attempts to meet had failed due to the doctors’ demand for live streaming, which the state government declined, citing the issue’s sub-judice status with the Supreme Court.

During yesterday’s surprise visit to the protest site at Swasthya Bhawan, Banerjee attempted to persuade the doctors to engage in discussions, but the meeting did not proceed as the live-streaming request was not accommodated.

Pant reiterated that the meeting would not be live-streamed, but minutes would be recorded and signed by both parties. He requested that the same delegation of doctors who attended the last discussion arrive at 4:45 PM.

The Chief Secretary expressed hope for a productive dialogue and urged a positive response from the doctors.