KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a rally in Kolkata protesting the rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. She is calling for justice for the victim and demanding the death penalty for the perpetrators.
Hundreds of TMC women wing members accompanied her in the rally which started from Moulali and ended at Dorina Crossing in Dharmatala , Kolkata.
In the rally, she accused opposition parties of orchestrating the vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital stating, "The CBI is investigating the incident. I have no issues with students or protesting doctors, but certain political parties are trying to create unrest. The videos will reveal what happened."
Banerjee criticised political elements, particularly the Left and the BJP, alleging they incited trouble. She claimed that around midnight, approximately 40 individuals posing as protesters entered the hospital, vandalising the emergency department, nursing station, and medicine store, and damaging CCTV cameras. They also ransacked a stage where junior doctors had been protesting since August 9 over the alleged rape and murder of a woman postgraduate trainee and demanding workplace security.
Banerjee said "I know that CPM and BJP vandalised RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. They went there at 12-1 am in the night, the video shows that CPM took the DYFI flag and BJP took the national flag. They have misused the national flag, they should be punished. How many teams did BJP and CPM send when the incident happened in Manipur? How many teams were sent to Hathras, Unnao? CPM and BJP should not threaten me; we have not come without contesting elections.”
According to Kolkata Police till now 29 people have been arrested regarding the vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
West Bengal Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal today said, "Too many rumours are floating which have no basis, and based on them, a lot of so-called experts are creating narratives. The case has now gone to the CBI and let's have faith in the agency. In the very little time we had, our officers tried to do everything possible. We are liable for legal action if anyone in our team has done anything wrong. Why is rumour-mongering going on even now?”
He further dismissed rumours on police informing the victim’s parents about the cause of death being suicide. The police are cooperating with CBI officials for the investigation.
“I don't see why it is being spread that we wanted to hush up the matter and finish it as early as possible .Videography was done and all evidence was collected in the presence of family and friends. A three-member team conducted the postmortem and it is on video. CBI has access to the postmortem video. There is no doubt as far as transparency is concerned," he added.
On Friday SUCI has called for a 12-hour strike in the state. However, the strike did not have an impact on the streets and transportation was more or less normal.
BJP has decided to hit the streets on Friday against this incident and demand Mamata Banerjee’s resignation.
Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “There has been complete systemic failure in West Bengal time and again. But the blame lies on ‘Bam and Ram’. Absolutely disgusting, shameful and reprehensible statement from Mamata Didi. The day is not far when Mamata Didi will even blame aliens and extraterrestrials for her misrule. With appeasement politics as her fulcrum of politics, Mamata Didi still has to take refuge of Lord Ram to cover her abysmal failures.”
He stressed on justice and harsh punishment for the perpetrators adding that there can be no room for politics on the horrific rape and murder of the junior doctor.
“Mamata Didi’s attempt to cover up, stifle dissent and shield perpetrators raises serious questions. Expecting safety of women, speedy trial, justice and impartiality from her is out of question,” Pradhan noted.
BJP leader Agnimitra Paul blamed Banerjee for the failure of her administration which led to such a heinous crime.
