BJP’s Sambit Patra slams West Bengal govt over trainee doctor’s rape-murder, accuses CM Mamata of cover-up

New Delhi [India], August 17 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sambit Patra on Saturday criticized Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government over the death of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

“I stand in solidarity with my doctor community and friends… The barbarism that occurred in Bengal is being covered up by the Chief Minister herself. Why have 40-50 doctors been transferred in a hurry?” Sambit Patra said while addressing a press conference in Delhi.

“What is the CM trying to hide? After holding the portfolios of Chief Minister, Health Minister, and also Home Minister, she had the audacity to come out holding placards and protesting. Who is she seeking justice and protection from?” he added.

“Who did Sandip Ghosh (former Principal of RG Kar) work for? The victim’s parents were told she had committed suicide. Meanwhile, the police are targeting individuals, sending notices, and threatening people who are posting about the case on social media. I thank the lawyers representing the case at the Calcutta High Court. Pertinent questions have been raised by those lawyers. I have seen the response from the Justice. They were frustrated and devastated, and they reprimanded the WB government. They have upheld the justice of the country,” he added.

Doctors across the country are protesting and demanding justice in this case, calling for the formation of a committee to implement the Central Protection Act in all hospitals.

A nationwide withdrawal of services has been announced by doctors of modern medicine starting from 6 am on Saturday, August 17 to 6 am Sunday, August 18, per the official statement released by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Thursday.

On August 9, a postgraduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered on duty at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, which has led to nationwide strikes and protests by the medical fraternity.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday slammed the state police force over its post on a women constable, who was injured during a midnight march held in protest against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 14.

In a post on X, West Bengal police posted, “Wasn’t the night Shampa’s too? It was meant to be a night for women, when they reclaimed the streets demanding safety at the workplace, in memory of a young woman who fell victim to a horrifying tragedy at her workplace. Our colleague Constable Shampa Pramanik, of the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, was in Baguiati on the night of August 14, ensuring the safety of those walking the streets. Suddenly, unprovoked, several bricks came flying from the crowd toward the police, one of which hit Shampa in the face. The accompanying photo was taken in the minutes immediately after she was hit.”

The police further said that they have arrested five people in the case, and will try to ensure punishment for them. Slamming the police and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said on X that doctors, nurses, and policewomen were not safe as the police were inefficient.

“The night belonged to every woman but unfortunately WB Police and Kolkata Police weren’t up to the task of providing security to the ladies. Doctors, nurses, policewomen and the women protesting on the streets had no security because of the inefficient police force who were hand in glove with the TMC Goons and acted as co-conspirators in the pre-planned vandalism,” Adhikari said.

“I strongly condemn the brutal attack on her (Trainee C no. 702) by the TMC Goons,” he added.

The BJP leader further questioned CM Mamata if the injured woman constable had completed her training.

“Is the training of the injured lady complete? Because my sources say that she is still a trainee and can’t be deployed to maintain a law & order situation. If she is a trainee, who is responsible for her illegal deployment on the evening of 14th August? Has the TMC goon been identified who is responsible for such a heinous act?” he added.

On Thursday police said that a mob of between 5,000 and 7,000 people, including several individuals invaded RG Kar Hospital, attacked protesting doctors and medical students, and attempted to ransack the premises on the night of August 14.

Kolkata police on Friday said it has arrested 19 miscreants allegedly involved in the mob violence at the hospital premises.