Junior Doctors Respond Positively to Mamata Banerjee’s Surprise Visit, Reach CM’s Residence for Talks

Kolkata: A delegation of junior doctors, who have been protesting the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, visited Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence this evening. This visit followed a surprise appearance by Banerjee at their protest site, where she promised to address their concerns.

Despite the rain, the doctors travelled by bus to Banerjee’s residence, where they were welcomed inside. Earlier, the doctors had responded positively to Banerjee’s unexpected visit to their protest at Swasthya Bhavan, the headquarters of West Bengal’s health department in Salt Lake. The Chief Minister had invited them to her residence for a meeting at 6 PM.

During her address at the protest site, Banerjee assured the doctors she would review their demands, describing her intervention as her “last attempt” to resolve the issue. The junior doctors have been staging a sit-in outside Swasthya Bhavan since Tuesday, calling for enhanced security at state-run hospitals and the removal of top officials involved in the case.

Banerjee urged the doctors to end their protest and resume work, stating, “I came to meet you as your ‘didi’ (elder sister), not as the Chief Minister. I assure you that I will examine your demands and take action if necessary. This is my final effort to resolve the situation.”

She added, “It rained all night. I am suffering just like you. I haven’t slept properly for 34 days, as I must stay awake to ensure your safety.”

Rejecting the use of forceful measures like the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) used in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, Banerjee assured, “I will not take any action against you. Unlike Uttar Pradesh, I am against any punitive measures against doctors. I understand and respect your work.”

Banerjee also announced the immediate dissolution of patient welfare committees at all state-run hospitals. The doctors welcomed her visit and expressed their willingness to engage in talks with proper representation and transparency.

This visit came two days after Banerjee had waited at the state secretariat, Nabanna, for a meeting with the doctors to discuss the RG Kar case. The meeting was cancelled as the government refused to livestream it, despite the doctors’ demand. Banerjee had then stated she was “willing to relinquish her chair for the sake of the people.”