“Mamata Banerjee A Woman, Understands Pain Of…”: Akhilesh Yadav
Amidst the ongoing uproar over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has defended West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, emphasising her empathy as a woman leader. Yadav stated, “Mamata Banerjee herself is a woman and understands the pain of a woman. She has taken action as per demand. The government has also decided to get the matter investigated by CBI or any other institution.” However, he urged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) not to exploit the tragedy for political gains.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with protests erupting across West Bengal and other parts of India. The BJP has sharply criticised the state government, accusing Mamata Banerjee of transferring 43 senior doctors for allegedly seeking justice for their slain colleague. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla claimed that the West Bengal Police had threatened legal action against those protesting the incident. He also accused the Mamata Banerjee administration of attempting to suppress evidence by orchestrating a mob attack on the protesting doctors, a charge the police have denied.
Mamata Banerjee, however, has hit back at her detractors, accusing the BJP and the Left Front of conspiring to attack the doctors at RG Kar Medical College. She alleged that the midnight attack, which occurred as part of a “Reclaim the Night” campaign, was intended to discredit her government. The attackers reportedly vandalised parts of the hospital and clashed with police officers who were trying to maintain order.
In response to the escalating situation, the Calcutta High Court has transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing a lack of faith in the state government’s ability to conduct a fair inquiry. The CBI has identified 30 suspects and has begun questioning them.
Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for a nationwide strike to protest the incident, disrupting routine healthcare services across the country. The Health Ministry has urged doctors to resume their duties and has promised to establish a committee to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals.
