The West Bengal government is facing severe criticism from all quarters due to a horrifying incident involving a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College. The opposition has opened a front against the Mamata Banerjee-led government. Even the Supreme Court has raised questions. Doctors nationwide went on strike, but the Mamata Banerjee administration remained firm, describing the entire movement as an agitation by the BJP and the Left. However, now questions are rising from within the TMC itself. How did CM Mamata Banerjee find herself being criticized by her own party leaders?
There is widespread anger among people regarding the incident at RG Kar Medical College. Just a day ago, many people took to the streets of Kolkata in protest. The steps taken by the West Bengal government are being seen as attempts to cover up the incident. The government removed RG Kar Medical College Principal Sandeep Ghosh but promptly reappointed him elsewhere.
As the protests grew, the TMC introduced the Aparajita Bill in the assembly, proposing the death penalty within 10 days for rape cases to control the damage. The bill was passed, but the Governor has yet to sign it. The bill is being viewed as mere paperwork. Jawahar Sarkar wrote in a letter to Mamata, "I have never seen so much anger and complete distrust toward the government in my life. Even when the government presents an informative or factual statement, people do not believe it." Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh also acknowledged some mistakes while talking to the victim’s father a few days ago.
Jawahar Raises Questions on CM’s Attitude
CM Mamata Banerjee and her party seem to have failed to grasp the seriousness of the situation, and it isn't just opposition parties raising questions now but even TMC leaders. Jawahar Sarkar questioned the CM’s attitude, saying, "I have patiently observed every reaction to the heinous incident at RG Kar Hospital for the past month and wonder why you are not acting like the old Mamata Banerjee? Why aren't you directly talking to the junior doctors? He also said that the current steps taken by the government are too little, too late."
Jawahar Sarkar also stated that those protesting are non-political, and their opposition is justified. This statement directly targets CM Mamata Banerjee. Initially, Mamata Banerjee described the protests against the RG Kar incident as a BJP-Left agitation. Before Jawahar, another TMC Rajya Sabha MP, Sukhendu Shekhar Roy, and party spokesperson Shantanu Sen also went against the party line, raising questions.
What Did Sukhendu Shekhar Roy Say?
TMC MP Sukhendu Shekhar Roy announced his support for the doctors’ strike on its sixth day, saying, "I have a daughter and a young granddaughter. Enough cruelty against women. We must stand up now." He questioned why efforts were being made to save the culprits. After the arrest of former RG Kar Medical College Principal Sandeep Ghosh, Sukhendu posted on X, saying the middle stump has fallen.
Shantanu Sen Also Raised Questions
Former TMC spokesperson Shantanu Sen expressed his hesitation after the RG Kar Medical College incident, saying, "I am unsure whether to send my daughter for night duty at RG Kar. I am an ex-RG Kar myself. My daughter studies there, and over the years, the quality of medical education at RG Kar has deteriorated. News related to the health department is not reaching CM and Health Minister Mamata Banerjee properly." Following this statement, TMC removed Shantanu from the party spokesperson position and as a health advisor in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
