Protest against Kolkata rape-murder case persists as Mamata government rejects doctors' preconditions for negotiations.
The West Bengal government declined junior doctors' requests for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's presence and a live broadcast as prerequisites for discussions to resolve the ongoing 'cease work' protest related to the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.
On the 33rd day of protests, doctors continued their sit-in outside Swasthya Bhawan in Kolkata for a second consecutive day. Minister of State for Health Chandrima Bhattacharya indicated the government's willingness to participate in talks but suggested that "political forces" may be influencing the protests.
The doctors promptly rejected these allegations as baseless and affirmed their intention to sustain their protests until their demands are addressed.
While urging the doctors to comply with the Supreme Court's directive and return to work, the minister refrained from discussing whether the government would implement any punitive actions against those contravening the court's instructions.
At the same time, RG Kar hospital, administered by the state, postponed a hearing for 51 doctors accused of fostering an environment of intimidation and disrupting the institution's democratic processes. The investigation is set to continue on Friday.
In addition, TMC officials gave veiled threats to the protesting doctors, accusing them of being "anti-nationals" and hinting that the party could arrange counter-demonstrations.
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