Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: Mamata Banerjee Refutes Allegations Of Intimidating Protesting Doctors

A day after facing accusations from the BJP for allegedly threatening doctors protesting against the rape and murder of a medico at a Kolkata hospital, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has vehemently denied the allegations and condemned what she describes as a "malicious disinformation campaign" against her.

In a post on X, Banerjee stated, "Let me most emphatically clarify that I have not uttered a single word against the (medical etc.) students or their movements. I totally support their movement. Their movement is genuine. I never threatened them, as some people are accusing me of doing. This allegation is completely false."

She asserted that her criticism was directed solely at the BJP, accusing the party of undermining democracy in West Bengal and attempting to create chaos.

"I have spoken against BJP. I have spoken against them because, with the support of the Government of India, they are threatening the democracy in our State and trying to create anarchy. With support from Centre, they are trying to create lawlessness and I have raised my voice against them," she added.

These remarks followed an address Banerjee gave during the foundation day event of the Trinamool Congress's students' wing, where she appealed to doctors protesting against the August 9 incident at RG Kar Medical College to gradually resume work.

She acknowledged their grievances, saying, "We did not act against you after you protested because I understand you are upset. But please join work gradually. Supreme Court has said that the state government can now take action. I don't want to take action because I want them to study properly."

Banerjee expressed her reluctance to take legal action against the protesting doctors, warning that such measures could jeopardise their futures.

"If [we] get an FIR registered, their future will be destroyed, they won't get a chance anywhere, they won't get passports and visas. If I take legal action, their lives will be destroyed. I don't want that, our government has a human outlook, we want to create more doctors with this human outlook," she said.

She also criticised the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for its lack of progress in the case, despite having taken over the investigation from Kolkata Police 16 days earlier following a court order.

In response to her statements, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi accused Banerjee of subtly threatening the doctors through "word play."

He stated, "After misleading the probe, destroying evidence, and shielding accused, a new strategy to threaten doctors has emerged. Heed the Chief Minister's words. She says she doesn't want to register FIRs (against doctors) so that careers are not destroyed. Mamata Banerjee has threatened doctors with word play."

Despite the controversy, the protesting doctors at RG Kar Medical College have remained resolute, declaring that their movement will continue.

The college authorities confirmed that all services were functioning as usual.

The controversy also extended to Banerjee's use of the phrase "phonsh kora," which drew criticism from state BJP chief and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, who accused her of "shamelessly inciting the gathering."

He wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that Banerjee's remarks amounted to "a blatant endorsement of revenge politics from the highest office in the state."

In her response, Banerjee clarified that the phrase was a reference to a teaching by the mystic and social reformer Ramakrishna Paramhansa.

She explained, "I also clarify that the phrase ('phonsh kara') that I had used in my speech yesterday is a quote from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. The legendary saint had said that occasionally there is need to raise one's voice. When there are crimes and criminal offences, voice of protest has to be raised. My speech on that point was a direct allusion to the great Ramakrishnite saying."

She concluded by reiterating her support for the doctors' movement and condemning what she views as a deliberate attempt by the BJP to misrepresent her words and intentions.