Protesting junior doctors demand live streaming, refuse to participate

A group of protesting junior doctors approached the state secretariat in Nabanna in West Bengal seeking talks to resolve the impasse at RG Kar Hospital, but refused to join the Bengal government’s proposal for talks in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

To meet their original demand, 30 paramedics were sent to Nabanna instead of the 15 ordered by the state government.

The protesters, who reached the Secretariat at around 5.25pm, remained at the threshold of the venue for over an hour, apparently engaged in discussions, while a heated battle of nerves broke out between the two sides, with both sides, however, insisting on their respective positions.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was reportedly waiting at the venue to attend the meeting.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee informed PTI that the meeting with the junior doctors cannot be live streamed as requested as the RG Kar case is still pending. However, arrangements were made to video record the meeting and with the permission of the Supreme Court, this recording could have been shared with them.

“We have informed in our letter that live streaming will not be possible but have assured that we will record the entire meeting for documentation and posterity. The Chief Minister is waiting for them for the last one and a half hours. There should be limits to such demands. We have tried to convince the doctors but they still have not agreed. We request them to consider attending this meeting,” Chief Secretary Pant said.