RG Kar: CM, junior doctors clash over health secretary removal, 'threat culture' doctors' suspension

Kolkata: Differences emerged during a key meeting on Monday between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and junior doctors regarding the ongoing protests over the shocking rape and murder of a junior doctor from R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata last August.

Two main issues led to disagreements during the live broadcast meeting. First, the junior doctors called for the removal of state Health Secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam. They claimed to have documents supporting their allegations against him. "You wanted some documents. We have got some papers on this count. That is why we are demanding his removal," said a junior doctors’ representative at the meeting.

In response, the Chief Minister argued that a person cannot be labelled an "accused" based solely on allegations.

A representative from N.R.S. Medical College and Hospital, Sandipta Chakraborty, challenged the Chief Minister’s definition of “accused,” escalating the debate. "Anyone against whom there are complaints of irregularities can be grammatically termed as ‘accused’. That same person can be termed as ‘guilty’ if his guilt is proved," Chakraborty argued.

The second point of contention was the suspension of 47 doctors from R.G. Kar, who were accused of creating a "threat culture" at the medical college. The Chief Minister questioned how these suspensions occurred without the approval of the state Health Department. "How could the Principal of R.G. Kar suspend 47 doctors unilaterally? Did he feel the need to inform the state government of the matter? Is this also not a kind of ‘threat culture'? No one should be suspended without proper investigation. No one should act according to his or her whims," the Chief Minister said.

Aniket Mahato, a key figure in the movement, quickly responded to the Chief Minister's remarks, defending the actions taken against the doctors. "The disciplinary committee suspended these doctors after a proper and thorough investigation. They were not suspended out of personal vendetta. Those who were suspended were notorious criminals," Mahato said.

Another prominent member of the protest, Kinjal Nanda from R.G. Kar, noted that the "threat culture" began during the tenure of the previous principal, Sandip Ghosh. "We had to wait for at least two hours outside his room to get his appointment. Will we stand by criminals and rapists?" he asked.

As of the time this report was filed, the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front (WBJDF), which is leading the protests, had not announced whether the ongoing hunger strike by some junior doctors would continue.

Agency