Mamata Banerjee visits doctors’ protest site, says ‘came here as your didi’

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee visited the protest site where junior doctors have been protesting against the alleged rape and murder of a medical student.

Banerjee met with the protesting doctors, attempting to ease the tension. "I came to meet you as your 'didi,' not as the Chief Minister," she said, adding, "I have spent sleepless nights as you protested on the road amid the rains.”

The CM also announced the dissolution of the patient welfare committee at RG Kar Medical College, where the doctor was raped and murdered.


However, friction between the state government and the doctors escalated after Banerjee rejected their request for a live telecast of the meeting. The doctors argued that their request was reasonable, given that parliamentary and administrative meetings are often broadcast live. They expressed frustration at being asked to leave their electronic gadgets outside the meeting hall, which prevented any recording of the discussions.

CM Mamata Banerjee has repeatedly urged the protesting doctors to return to work, emphasizing that her primary concern is justice for the victim and ensuring that ordinary citizens receive medical services. "I am ready to resign from the Chief Minister post," Banerjee stated during a press conference. "I am not concerned about the position; I am only concerned about justice for the victim and medical care for the people."

The protests were sparked by the August 9 rape and murder of a second-year postgraduate medical student inside the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College, which has since triggered widespread outrage and calls for systemic reforms in the safety of medical professionals across West Bengal.