Lagatar24 Desk
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly denied allegations by the BJP that she threatened doctors protesting the recent rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata. In a statement, Banerjee condemned what she described as a “malicious disinformation campaign” aimed at undermining her position.
Banerjee took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to assert that she has consistently supported the doctors’ movement, which she believes is justified. “I have not uttered a single word against the students or their movement. I totally support their cause. The accusation that I threatened them is completely baseless,” she stated.
The Chief Minister clarified that her criticism was directed solely at the BJP, accusing the party of attempting to destabilize West Bengal with the backing of the central government. “I have spoken against BJP because they are trying to create lawlessness in our state with the support of the Centre, and I have raised my voice against them,” she added.
During the foundation day event of the Trinamool Congress’s students’ wing, Banerjee addressed the ongoing protests by doctors in Kolkata, urging them to gradually return to work. She referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling that allows state governments to take action against doctors who continue to protest despite safety measures being in place.
“We have not taken action against you because we understand your pain. However, the Supreme Court has now permitted the state government to act. I don’t want to take legal action that could destroy your careers. Our government has a human outlook, and we aim to produce more doctors with this same perspective,” Banerjee explained.
The Chief Minister also questioned the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for its lack of progress in the case, despite having taken over the investigation from Kolkata Police more than two weeks ago.
In response, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi accused Banerjee of using “word play” to threaten the doctors. “After misleading the investigation and protecting the accused, the Chief Minister is now threatening doctors with clever wordplay. She implies that she doesn’t want to register FIRs against them to avoid ruining their careers,” Trivedi claimed.
Despite the political tensions, doctors at RG Kar Medical College have vowed to continue their protest, while hospital authorities confirmed that all services are functioning normally.
Banerjee also addressed the controversy surrounding her use of the phrase “phonsh kora” (hissing), which had prompted state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar to write to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing her of inciting violence.
Explaining her remarks, Banerjee said she was quoting an anecdote by the revered saint Ramakrishna Paramhansa. “The phrase I used was inspired by Ramakrishna Paramhansa, who taught that while one should not harm others, it is sometimes necessary to raise one’s voice against wrongdoing. My speech was a direct reference to this teaching,” Banerjee clarified.
In his letter, Majumdar had accused the Chief Minister of endorsing “revenge politics,” a charge Banerjee has firmly denied, insisting that her comments were in line with the moral teachings of Ramakrishna.
