Agitating junior doctors in West Bengal on Sunday said they remain steadfast in their resolve to pursue justice for the medic raped and murdered at the RG Kar hospital, a day after another attempt to resolve the impasse with the state government fell through. Amid persistent rain, the protesting doctors continued their sit-in outside 'Swasthya Bhavan', the state health department headquarters in Salt Lake, for the sixth consecutive day. "We are steadfast in our resolve to seek justice for our sister, no matter the adversity. We have spent nights on the streets in harsh conditions and inclement weather despite some of us not feeling well," an agitating junior medic said on the RG Kar hospital issue, reported PTI. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on Saturday made a surprise visit to the site where the doctors were protesting and assured them that their demands would be addressed, but the proposed meeting fell through, with the protesters claiming that they were asked to leave "unceremoniously" after waiting for three hours at the gates of the CM's residence. Another protesting doctor claimed they had agreed to attend the meeting without live-streaming or video recording as Banerjee requested, but after notifying Minister of State for Health, Chandrima Bhattacharya, of this decision, they were told to leave because it was too late, reported PTI. "We must stay strong. This fight isn't just ours, it is for the 10 crore people of Bengal. The arrests of Sandip Ghosh and the Officer-in-Charge of Tala Police Station validate our view that attempts were made to cover up this heinous crime," he said, reported PTI. The CBI, which is probing the rape-murder case, on Saturday evening added charges of tampering with evidence against former RG Kar hospital principal Sandip Ghosh, who is currently in judicial custody and arrested Abhijit Mondal, the officer-in-charge of Tala police station, on charges of misleading the investigation and altering the crime scene. The junior doctors, who have been on 'cease work' since August 9, are also demanding the suspension of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, Health Secretary N S Nigam, Director of Health Services, and Director of Medical Education for "failing" in their duties in the context of the RG Kar incident. Besides, they have sought adequate safety and security measures for all women health professionals in the state. A few previous attempts at talks between the junior doctors and Banerjee had also failed due to disagreements over live streaming of the meetings and the number of attending representatives. The agitating medics said they have also been operating temporary clinics at the demonstration site, where "nearly 400-500 patients" come on a daily basis. The body of the postgraduate woman doctor was recovered in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been conducting the probe into the rape and murder of the woman medic, following a Calcutta High Court order. (With inputs from PTI)
15 September,2024 11:17 AM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondentUnion minister Nitin Gadkari has said a political leader once offered to support him if he were to enter the race for the Prime Minister's post, but he declined the offer stating he did not nurse such an ambition, reported news agency PTI. The senior BJP leader was speaking at a journalism awards function in Maharashtra's Nagpur city on Saturday. "I remember one incident -- I would not name anyone -- that person said 'if you are going to become prime minister, we will support you'," Nitin Gadkari said, without specifying when the conversation took place, reported PTI. "But, I asked why you should support me, and why should I take your support? To become the prime minister is not the aim in my life. I am loyal to my conviction and my organisation, and I am not going to compromise for any post because my conviction is foremost for me," he said, reported PTI. In his speech, the minister underlined the importance of ethics in both journalism and politics. Recalling a meeting with a senior CPI functionary, Gadkari said he told the communist leader that late A B Bardhan was among the tallest politicians from Nagpur and Vidarbha. When the leader expressed surprise saying Bardhan was an opponent of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Gadkari said honest opposition should be respected. "I said one should respect a person who opposes with honesty, because there is honesty in his opposition...one who opposes with dishonesty deserves no respect," the BJP leader said, reported PTI. Comrade Bardhan was faithful to his ideology, and politics as well as journalism now lack such people, he said, reported PTI. Democracy will be successful only when all the four pillars -- judiciary, executive, legislature and media -- follow ethics, Gadkari added, reported PTI. Gadkari, who has won the Nagpur Lok Sabha seat three times, is a prominent figure in the BJP. He is currently serving as Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways. He became the Minister of Road Transport and Highways and Minister of Shipping in May 2014. During the second term of the BJP-led central government in 2019, Gadkari retained the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, while the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation were replaced with the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises on May 31, 2019. Gadkari won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Nagpur constituency, defeating his nearest Congress rival by a margin of 1,37,603 votes. However, Gadkari's winning margin went down by 78,397 in this election. In 2019, he had defeated Congress' Nana Patole by 2,16,000 votes. The BJP leader first contested from the constituency in 2014, when he won by 2,84,828 votes. (With inputs from PTI)
15 September,2024 11:06 AM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentNoted economist Dr Ajit Ranade was on Saturday removed as vice chancellor of the city-based Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) after the institute found that his appointment violated the UGC norms. The prestigious institute, a deemed university, had set up a fact-finding committee to examine the issue after Ranade's appointment was called into question. A letter by the institute to Ranade stated that the committee was of the opinion that his candidature "does not conform to the established norms set forth by the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines," and hence he was being removed. Reacting to the development, Ranade said in a statement that it was a "truly unfortunate and shocking decision." "For the past two-and-half years, I have been working diligently and to the best of my ability, contributing to positive developments in the institute. These results seem to have been completely ignored," he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
15 September,2024 08:45 AM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentA 22-year-old youth from Telangana, who was unwittingly recruited into the Russian army and left stranded at the Russia-Ukraine border for months, expressed his gratitude to the Centre on Saturday for facilitating his return to the country. “I still cannot believe that I have returned home. The horrific scenes of the ongoing war are still fresh in my mind…” said Mohammed Sufiyan, who returned home safely on Friday night after working as a support staff for the Russian army in its war with Ukraine. Sufiyan (22), who hails from Narayanpet district, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Telangana government and also the media for facilitating his return. Sufiyan recalled that he reached Russia via Chennai and Dubai in December 2023 after being promised the job of a security personnel by a Mumbai-based employment agent. However, he was taken to the Russia-Ukraine border and subjected to training before being entrusted with work like loading vehicles and building bunkers, he said. Sufiyan and others like him realised that they were misled, but could not establish contact with the main agent. Russia had agreed to India’s demand to ensure early release of Indian nationals working with the military as support PM Narendra Modi’s visit. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 September,2024 07:43 AM IST | Hyderabad | AgenciesPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the Congress was the country’s “most dishonest party” led by a corrupt dynasty and manipulates elections to come to power. The PM said that this time the Assembly elections of Jammu and Kashmir were between the three families and youth. “On one side there are three parties, and on the other side are my sons and daughters of Jammu and Kashmir, carrying their dreams”, PM Modi added, hinting at PDP, NC and Congress. He said that after independence Jammu and Kashmir have remained a target of foreign powers. “And then this dynastic rule (parivarvad) began to hollow out this beautiful state”, said the Prime Minister. “Congress is India’s most dishonest party. Congress’s royal family is India’s biggest corrupt dynasty. You have to remain vigilant against them. They use all methods of dishonesty to win elections in a bid to come to power,” Modi said at the rally. The vice president of National Conference (NC), Omar Abdullah, countered Modi for failing to acknowledge the current security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Abdullah also responded to Prime Minister Modi’s remarks about the alleged destruction of Jammu and Kashmir by dynasty politics. He said, “Instead of targeting us and talking about family politics, the Prime Minister should address the pressing issue of security, particularly the tragic loss of two soldiers in the Kishtwar terrorist attack.” Omar further criticised the BJP, stating, “In the past, the BJP formed alliances with the PDP because it suited them at the time”, he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 September,2024 07:40 AM IST | Jammu | AgenciesAmid the continuing impasse, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday made a surprise visit to the site where the junior doctors were protesting, and assured them that she would look into their demands and take action if anyone was found guilty. Banerjee assured the protesting doctors that she would not take any action against them because she did not believe in suppressing a democratic movement as “Bengal is not Uttar Pradesh”. However, after she left the site, the agitating doctors said they were not ready to compromise on their demands till discussions were held, indicating no immediate breakthrough in the impasse. Protesting doctors speak to the media. Pic/PTI Accompanied by DGP Rajiv Kumar, Banerjee reached the site in Sector 5 around 1 pm, taking those present there by surprise. “I came to meet you as your “didi” (elder sister) not as the chief minister,” she said. “I assure you that I will study your demands and take action if someone is found guilty,” she added. Urging the protesting doctors to return to work, Banerjee said would never allow any injustice to them. “Let the guilty be punished. I will definitely take action if anyone is found guilty.,” she said. Be direct: Victim’s mother The mother of the rape-murder victim of RG Medical College and Hospital on Saturday said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should be forthright in her comments about action against culprits. Speaking to reporters at her residence on the northern fringes of Kolkata, the victim’s mother, however, expressed hope that the discussions between the CM and the agitating doctors would yield results. “Instead of merely saying that whoever is found guilty would be punished, she should have been more categorical and direct. Considering the destruction of evidence at the crime scene, and the arrest of only one person, we were expecting the CM to be more forthright,” she said. However, she said that any initiative to resolve the deadlock caused by the doctor’s “cease work” at hospitals over the last one month following the incident, was welcome but she also demanded the arrest of all the perpetrators and officials behind the attempted “cover up”. “I wish the state government does not take any punitive action against the agitating doctors who are waging a battle for justice,” she said. Doctors agree to meet, promise nothing Responding to the mail by West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, the agitating doctors said they would attend the meeting and place their demands before the chief minister. “We would attend the meeting with our representatives. We will place our five demands. We are going to the discussions with an open mind, but no one should be under the illusion that we will compromise on our demands,” an agitating doctor said. The WB government invited agitating junior doctors to CM Mamata Banerjee’s residence at 6 pm on Saturday. In an email, CS Manoj Pant emphasised that 15 representatives were invited to the meeting. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 September,2024 07:40 AM IST | Kolkata | AgenciesThe Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday arrested Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, along with Abhijit Mondal, the officer-in-charge of Tala police station, in connection with the Kolkata rape-murder case, news agency ANI reported. Sources revealed that CBI's special crime branch arrested Mondal owing to his delayed registration of the first information report (FIR) regarding the case while Ghosh was taken into custody for allegedly "misleading the investigation" and delaying the declaration of the victim’s death, thus hindering the case’s progress. Junior doctors protesting over the Kolkata rape-murder incident at Swasthya Bhavan celebrated the arrests, with many seen singing at the protest site. A junior doctor stated, "We have long demanded the arrest of Sandip Ghosh and Abhijit Mondal for their involvement in tampering with the evidence. We are happy that CBI has taken action. They should arrest others involved in the tampering as well." Earlier in the day, a delegation of junior doctors met with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, but the meeting ended without resolution for the second time. The doctors demanded the live streaming of their discussions, a request denied by the Chief Minister, citing that the matter is sub judice. Banerjee explained that live streaming could not be allowed due to the ongoing Supreme Court proceedings related to the Kolkata rape-murder case. However, she assured the doctors that a recording of the meeting would be provided to them. "I assure you, the meeting's recording will be made available. Please accept my request and participate in the meeting. If you do not wish to attend, at least come inside for tea before leaving," Banerjee urged. Doctors' meeting with CM Mamata Banerjee ends without resolution The Chief Minister (CM) also addressed the doctors standing outside her residence in the rain, explaining that she had been waiting for them and reiterating her inability to allow live streaming. "There is a case in the Supreme Court, so live streaming is not possible. However, I assure you that the recording will be given to you," she said, requesting them to join the discussion. Banerjee expressed disappointment at the standoff, noting that this wasn’t the first time the issue of recording had been raised. "I have explained before that the recording cannot be provided today. We cannot meet all demands," she added. The impasse has resulted in a deadlock, with junior doctors refusing to engage in the meeting unless live streaming was permitted. At the time of reporting, 12 junior doctors had left the meeting to reiterate their demand. Banerjee had earlier visited the protest site at Swasthya Bhawan in Salt Lake, urging the agitating doctors to resume work and assuring them that their concerns would be addressed. The Kolkata Police have since installed CCTV cameras at the protest site to ensure security as the junior doctors continue their protest, demanding justice for the trainee doctor and calling for better safety measures in medical institutions. Despite the Supreme Court’s directive for doctors to return to work by Tuesday, the protests have continued. Junior doctors previously criticised the Chief Minister for denying their request for a live broadcast of the meeting. They argued that live telecasting is commonplace for parliamentary sessions and other administrative gatherings and felt their request was justified. Additionally, they expressed frustration over being prohibited from bringing electronic devices into the meeting, which prevented them from recording the proceedings. The case involves the rape and murder of a second-year postgraduate medical student inside the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College on August 9, which has since sparked widespread protests among the medical fraternity in West Bengal. (With ANI inputs)
14 September,2024 11:27 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde criticised the opposition for targeting his government over the collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg, while remaining silent on a recent incident in Congress-ruled Karnataka, where a Ganpati idol was placed in a police van, reported news agency PTI. Videos circulating on social media show the Karnataka cops taking a Ganpati idol from protestors and placing it in a police van, prompting widespread reaction online. At a rally in Dharashiv district, CM Shinde addressed the controversy in Karnataka, reported news agency PTI. "The opposition politicised the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue in Sindhudurg. But they are silent on the Karnataka Police’s actions, which have disrespected the people's faith. The Congress government there is attempting to suppress Ganesh festival celebrations," Shinde said. He further remarked, "This act not only disrespected the religious sentiments of the people but also placed a Ganpati idol in a police van. Yet, the opposition has not uttered a word in response." Meanwhile, in Karnataka, the situation in violence-hit Nagamangala town in Mandya district has stabilised, according to Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara. Clashes erupted during a Ganesh idol procession in the town, leading to stone-pelting and damage to shops and vehicles on Wednesday night. "The situation in Nagamangala is now peaceful, and steps have been taken to ensure no further incidents occur. I have directed officials to organise a peace meeting, and additional police forces are stationed there," Parameshwara informed reporters. Stones pelted, shops damaged during Ganpati idol procession So far, around 55 individuals have been arrested and placed in judicial custody, police sources confirmed. Addressing concerns raised by opposition parties, including Janata Dal (Secular) leader H D Kumaraswamy, regarding the first information report (FIR), Parameshwara assured, "The police will act in accordance with the law." In response to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP)decision to send a fact-finding team to Nagamangala, the Home Minister said, "Let them gather the facts and inform us. If their findings reveal anything significant, we will address it. It will make our work easier." The BJP's fact-finding panel, comprising MLA C N Ashwath Narayan, former Ministers Byrathi Basavaraj and K C Narayana Gowda, state secretary Lakshmi Ashwin Gowda, and former IPS officer Bhaskar Rao, will visit the town and submit a detailed report to the party within a week. According to police, tensions escalated after an argument broke out between two groups during the Ganesh idol procession from Badri Koppalu village. Stones were allegedly thrown, leading to further violence. (With PTI inputs)
14 September,2024 09:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe country's first Vande Metro service will be flagged off on September 16 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It will operate between Bhuj and Ahmedabad in Gujarat. The complete details of the train are given below: The Vande Metro train will operate from Ahmedabad six days a week, except on Saturdays while the service will not depart from Bhuj on Sundays. The Indian Railways said that the Vande Metro trains are "poised to transform inter-city travel with its advanced medium-distance capabilities". While the Metro trains in cities cover only short distances and cater to the commuting needs of the city, the Vande Metro trains will connect the heart of the major cities to the nearby cities and small towns. The railways has listed a comprehensive overview of the Vande Metro: Speed: Vande Metro will operate at a speed of 110 km/h to facilitate quicker commute and improved efficiency. Comfort: The ergonomically designed seats are poised to provide comfort, and the Vande Metros will have fully air-conditioned cabins and modular interiors. The railways claims that Vande Metro trains will prove to be superior than the other metros which are currently operational in various cities. Safety: Vande Metro is equipped with advanced safety systems such as fire detection and aerosol-based fire suppression, along with emergency lights, CCTVs, and talk back system. Accessibility: The trains will have 'Divyangjan-friendly' toilets and a fully sealed flexible gangway. Technology: Vande Metro will have 'cutting-edge technology', including under slung propulsion and advanced braking systems, to offer commuters a smoother ride, the railways claimed. Each train will have 12 coaches with seating for 1,150 passengers. According to the railways, the fully sealed flexible gangway will ensure a dust-free, quiet, and rain-proof interior. The train's modular design includes ejector-based vacuum evacuation toilets, which are a significant upgrade from the traditional suburban trains and metro coaches. The trains will connect cities within a 150 to 200-km radius, in three to four hours. The semi-permanent couplers, similar to those on Vande Bharat trains, will provide passengers a jerk-free travel experience, the railways said. Vande Metro trains will have mobile charging sockets with both type-C and type-A outlets. The other features include air-conditioned driver cab AC, regenerative braking for energy efficiency, route map indicator, synchronized 415 V auxiliary bus system, passenger information & infotainment system, disaster lights, battery back up for three hours and high-rise pantograph.
14 September,2024 09:29 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Saturday described the upcoming Jammu-Kashmir polls as a contest between a young leadership committed to the development of the Union Territory (UT) and the three dynastic families that "destroyed" the region by "fostering" corruption and "depriving" the people of their rights, news agency PTI reported. Addressing a rally in the Doda district in support of the candidates contesting from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), PM Modi said that terrorism was "breathing its last" and reaffirmed his government's commitment to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. However, he urged voters to be cautious of bringing back the National Conference (NC), Congress, and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to power in the Jammu-Kashmir polls, and accused the three parties of laying the groundwork for terrorism, suppressing young leaders, and "hollowing out" the region. He stressed that the upcoming Jammu-Kashmir polls would shape the future of the UT, which had long been the target of foreign interference. This was the first rally of PM Modi for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. The first phase of the election will be held on September 18, covering 24 seats across Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, and several districts in south Kashmir. PM Modi began his 45-minute speech by greeting the audience in Kashmiri, emphasising that this election would determine the future of the UT. "The parties you trusted didn’t care for your children but only for their own, preventing the rise of new leadership," PM Modi remarked. He also pointed out that his government, after coming to power in 2014, focused on nurturing young leadership in Jammu and Kashmir. He recalled that before 2014, panchayat elections had not been held since the year 2000, and the Block Development Council (BDC) and District Development Council (DDC) elections had never taken place. Under his government, the panchayat elections were held in 2018, followed by BDC and DDC elections in 2019 and 2020, respectively, to empower young people at the grassroots level. Continuing with his criticism of the Congress, NC, and PDP, PM Modi claimed the three parties had "deliberately" kept young people out of politics, but that his government had challenged these tactics. As a result, 30,000 to 35,000 young leaders were elected in local body elections and are now leading the region, contributing to its development, he said. PM Modi credited the new phase of growth in Jammu-Kashmir to the young elected officials. "I salute them for their contribution," he said. Stones once thrown at army now being used to build a new Jammu-Kashmir: PM Modi "This assembly election pits three families against the youth. On one side are the dynasties, and on the other, my daughters and sisters driven by their dreams," Modi said. He accused the Congress, NC, and PDP of committing a grave injustice, alleging that they were responsible for widespread corruption, land grabbing, and denying people their rightful services. Modi claimed that these parties had given government jobs only to those with connections to them, while simultaneously nurturing separatism and terrorism. Terrorism, he noted, is now on its last legs in Jammu and Kashmir. Reflecting on the last decade, Modi said the transformation seen in the region is remarkable, crediting the people of Jammu and Kashmir rather than himself for this progress. "The stones that were once thrown at the police and army are now being used to build a new Jammu and Kashmir," he said. Modi also accused the three families of aligning with enemies of the country, promoting terrorism for their own gain, which had led to the deaths of thousands of young people. Recalling the height of militancy when shops used to close before dusk, Modi pointed out that the Congress government’s home minister had been too scared to visit Srinagar’s Lal Chowk. He noted that the BJP, in its manifesto, promised to return and rehabilitate Kashmiri migrant Pandits, restoring their rights. "The BJP also pledged to bring out a white paper on the victims of terrorism, and you know the BJP keeps its promises," he said. The Prime Minister concluded with a pledge to build a safe and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir in partnership with the people, promising that statehood would be restored under a BJP government. However, he cautioned voters to remain wary of those who had taken away their rights in pursuit of personal gain. "They deprived Gujjars and other communities of reservation rights and denied certain sections the right to vote, as enshrined in the Constitution," he warned, accusing these parties of exploiting the Constitution for their own benefit. The second phase of voting is scheduled for 25th September, with the final phase on 1st October, covering 40 seats. (With PTI inputs)
14 September,2024 08:09 PM IST | Jammu | mid-day online correspondentWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a surprise appearance at the junior doctors' protest site near Salt Lake on Saturday, urging them to return to work and vowing to resolve their concerns. Despite her appeal, the protestors stood firm, refusing to back down until their demands were fully granted, reported PTI. The Chief Minister, accompanied by DGP Rajiv Kumar, arrived at the Swasthya Bhawan headquarters in Sector 5 at 1 pm. Her entrance caught many off guard, and she was greeted with chants of "We want justice." Speaking to the doctors, Banerjee stated that she had no intention of repressing their movement, claiming, "I came to meet you as your 'didi' (elder sister) not as the chief minister. I assure you that I will study your demands and take action if someone is found guilty." The current protest is the result of the rape and murder of a doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, prompting junior doctors to demand improved security at state-run institutions as well as the expulsion of top executives. The strike, which has been ongoing for more than a month, has damaged the state's public healthcare system, with the authorities alleging that 29 patients died as a result of a lack of medical attention during the protests, the news agency report stated. In her speech, Banerjee dissolved patient welfare committees at all state-run hospitals, in an attempt to appease the agitated doctors. She emphasised that this was her "last attempt" to resolve the problem, pushing the medics to return to work. "I haven't slept for nights, knowing you're out here in the rain," she told me. However, the junior doctors remained unfazed. They stated that the strike would continue until a proper discourse was established. As Banerjee exited the scene, there appeared to be no resolution. The climate remained hostile, the deadlock unresolved, and the state's healthcare services were precariously balanced, reported PTI. BJP Accuses Mamata Banerjee of Using Protest Visit as a "Photo-Op" The BJP has slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's surprise visit to the junior doctors' protest site, calling it a "photo-op" and accused her of sowing "seeds of suspicion" in the medical community. However, BJP's West Bengal co-incharge, Amit Malviya, criticised Banerjee's visit, claiming it was a brief five-minute stopover on her way to Swasthya Bhawan. He accused her of failing to engage meaningfully with the protesters, stating, "Mamata Banerjee made a short speech but was met with chants of 'we want justice'. She did not interact with or listen to the doctors." Malviya further alleged that the visit was a media stunt aimed at creating distrust among the medical fraternity. "This was a mere photo-op, with no genuine intent to resolve the issue or deliver justice in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital case," he said. The BJP leader slammed Banerjee's behaviour, calling her "sly and insincere," and accused her of undermining West Bengal's public healthcare system with her "inflated ego." With PTI inputs
14 September,2024 03:12 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
