BJP leadears during a candle rally from the Academy of Fine Arts on Saturday. (Express Photo)
A day after the rape and murder of 31-year-old woman junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College, Opposition political parties including CPI(M), Congress and supporters took to the streets to protest against the incident.
While CPIM state secretary Mohammed Salim demanded a judicial enquiry into the whole incident, the BJP demanded a CBI enquiry.
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The student, youth and doctors organisation of the CPIM on Saturday afternoon marched towards RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, but were stopped by the Kolkata Police at the main gate of the hospital. While they tried entering the premises, an altercation broke out and four of the protesting supporters were detained by the police. They were later released.
Meanwhile, the agitating junior doctors inside the campus stated that they did not want the issue to be politicized and would not not allow any political organisation with banners inside the hospital.
In a bid to control the situation, CPIM state secretary Mohd Salim, the party’s leader-cum-doctor Fuad Halim reached the venue. “Those who stopped us are basically TMC agents. TMC is now trying to suppress the matter. Why will we protest without our banner? We will protest with our red flag,” Mohd Salim said. “We don’t want a CBI investigation. Because, CBI is a failure agency. They failed to investigate the school-job scam and other scams in our state. We want judiciary enquiry for proper revelation of this incident,” he further said. Congress also blocked roads in South Kolkata demanding proper investigation into the incident.
Demanding a CBI enquiry in the case, the state BJP youth president Indranil Khan, on X wrote, “Sincerely urge Hon’ble Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda ji seeking for a CBI investigation into the alleged rape and murder of on duty 31 yr old junior doctor in R G Kar Medical College that has shocked the entire nation.”BJP state president Sukanta Majumder said, “We are not sure whether police is doing proper investigation. They are saying only one person did this. I am not a technical person but I am shocked how only a man murdered that lady and her collarbone was broken. I think there are other culprits also.”
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress leader and general secretary Abhishek Banerjee asked the Centre introduce a Bill in Parliament to fast-track trial and conviction of rapists and murderers within a week, ensuring they receive exemplary punishment. “If circumstantial evidence is against the accused, there should be a mechanism for speedy trial within 7 days. These people don’t deserve a place in society and no point wasting money on them during a trial that continues for years! These rapists, who don’t deserve to live in society, should be dealt with either through encounter or by hanging,” he said.
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Hitting out at the BJP, Banerjee further said, “BJP, instead of cheap politics, should bring an ordinance for speedy trial in case of such heinous crimes like rape and as opposition we will/ should support it. If they can increase the tenure of the ED director, why can’t they do this?”Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, however said, the state government has no reservation on a CBI enquiry. “For those who are protesting, if they feel that they don’t have faith in the State Administration, they can approach any other law enforcement agency. I have no issue with that. We want proper and thorough investigation and stringent punishment for the culprits,” the chief minister said.
Addressing the strike by the Junior doctors, the Chief Minister urged them to continue to provide service to the patients. Junior doctors are saying they are not stopping the emergency services.
One of the leader’s of this agitation said, “We are not stopping emergency duties. We are also doing our work for the admitted patients.”The Junior Doctors organisation on Saturday demanded the formation of a fast-track court to expedite the trial and ensure “exemplary punishment of the culprit as soon as possible”.
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
