Kolkata Doctors Accept Mamata Govt's Meeting Invite, But Stick To 30-Member Team, Live Telecast Demands

Amid the dramatic back-and-forth over emails between junior doctors on protest in Kolkata and the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal, the doctors on Thursday agreed to join the meeting in the presence of the Chief Minister.

The doctors in their reply email stated that a 30-member team would participate in the discussion and the names of those attending the meet will be shared with the authorities shortly.  The doctors’ reply came after the state authorities earlier in the day refused the protestors condition of more than 15 members and live telecast in a letter.

The Bengal government’s letter mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be present in the meeting and only 15 people will be allowed. Additionally, the Bengal government rejected the doctors’ demand for a live telecast of the meeting but said that it would be recorded for transparency.

The letter signed by Chief Secretary, Manoj Pant, stated while the government is open to meeting the delegates to ensure the smooth functioning of the healthcare infrastructure in the state, the same cannot be in any manner contrary to the directions passed by the Supreme Court for the resumption of work, as such directions bind the state.

“The state government is always willing to engage in a dialogue with the concerned stakeholders. You are aware that for a meaningful dialogue with your delegation, Honourable Chief Minister waited for your positive response on last two consecutive days,” the letter read.

The conditions that the Bengal government mentioned for the meeting with Kolkata doctors are: 

1. The proposed meeting for restoration of normalcy to ensure treatment and health services to the common people shall be held at 5 pm today (12/09/2024) in the conference hall at Nabanna.
2. The meeting shall be attended by a delegate team of only 15 persons to ensure a smooth discussion.
3. The meeting shall not be live telecasted. However, the same can be recorded to maintain transparency. This will serve the purpose intended from your end, while also maintaining the sanctity of the proceedings, ensuring that all discussions are accurately documented.

Responding to the development, the BJP attacked the Bengal government over its refusal of live telecasting the meeting with the protesting junior doctors.

Hitting Out at the ruling TMC, BJP IT Cell Head Amit Malviya wrote, “Well, the WB Govt couldn’t preserve vaginal swab of the rape and murder victim of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital. They couldn’t even produce the challan, a mandatory document before a body is sent in for post-mortem, and they expect the Junior Doctors to trust them?”

Will Mamata Govt Make Headway For Talks?

Junior doctors, who have continued their stir, in their email said that they want the state government to have an open-forum discussion with them, which will be telecasted live. Additionally, the protestors demanded the removal of those who stood in the way of justice.

“We are sitting on the road and we are frustrated; you are sitting in an AC room and are getting frustrated. We only want those who have stood in the way of justice to be removed,” said the agitating doctors in a statement.

Letters Exchanged Between Doctors, Authorities

The first two emails between the doctors and the authorities were exchanged on Tuesday (September 10). The state health secretary invited a 10-member delegation for talks. The doctors, defying SC orders to return to work, rejected the invitation, stating it was “insulting” as they have been demanding the resignation of the sender.

The doctors then set certain terms and conditions for the meeting and wrote to the Chief Minister at around 3.50 am on Wednesday. Following this, at 3.20 pm, the chief secretary invited 12 to 15 doctors for a dialogue at Nabanna.

Once again, the doctors replied to this email insisting on meeting Banerjee in person and a larger delegation from their side, followed by the state government’s press conference.