The West Bengal government has reached out to junior doctors protesting the rape and murder of a colleague, urging them to engage in a discussion to resolve the ongoing standoff. The email, sent on Tuesday, as the protesting doctors marched to the health secretariat, called for a dialogue to end the month-long impasse.
However, the doctors have refused, citing that the message came from the health secretary, one of the officials whose resignation they are demanding.
The email sent to the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front was dismissed by the protesting doctors, who found it “insulting” to be contacted by one of the officials they want removed from office. “The email has come from the health secretary, and this is insulting for us,” said one of the doctors.
The protesters criticised the government’s approach, stating, “We think it is insulting to call for a small delegation team. We are near the Swastha Bhavan. What was the need to email us? He could have come to meet us…We have five demands and we want these demands to be met.”
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Earlier on Tuesday, the doctors, upon reaching the health secretariat, were invited to send a deputation for talks. They declined, instead demanding the immediate resignation of key officials, including Kolkata police chief Vineet Goyal, the health secretary, the Director of Health Education, and the Director of Health Services.
Sit-Down Protest Begins After Deadline
Following their rejection of the government’s invitation for talks, the doctors began an indefinite sit-down protest outside the secretariat post 5 pm, stating they would not leave until their demands are met.
The escalation comes after the Supreme Court’s directive that the doctors return to work by 5 pm on Tuesday, a deadline the doctors used to push the government into action. The protestors had marched to the health secretariat earlier in the day, giving the state an ultimatum to meet their demands.
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Despite the court’s order threatening state action, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed her preference for dialogue over forceful measures against the protesting doctors.
Government Under Pressure
The government has emphasized the critical need for the protesting doctors to return to duty, citing over 20 deaths due to the lack of timely medical treatment over the past month. However, the doctors have rejected these claims, continuing to demand the resignation of senior officials they believe mishandled the case.
The situation remains tense, with the protest showing no signs of de-escalation as both sides are locked in a standoff.
