Kolkata Trainee Doctor's Mother Accuses Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Of ‘Lying’, Trying To ‘Strangle’ Protests

The mother of the deceased Kolkata trainee doctor accuses Bengal CM Banerjee of lying and attempting to stifle protests. She rejects Banerjee's plea to end protests ahead of Durga Puja.

The mother of the Kolkata trainee doctor, who was brutally raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last month, has criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of lying and attempting to silence the protests surrounding the incident. Her sharp rebuke follows Banerjee's earlier dismissal of allegations that the Kolkata Police attempted to bribe the victim's parents. The Chief Minister had termed the accusations against her government as "slander."

"The Chief Minister is lying," the grieving mother stated, as quoted by India Today. "She said that you will get the compensation, and you can build something in memory of your daughter. I had said then that when my daughter gets justice, I will come to your office and take the compensation."

The distraught mother further alleged that Banerjee was trying to "strangle" the protests demanding justice for her daughter, whose semi-naked body was discovered at RG Kar hospital on August 9.

Banerjee's recent appeal for the public to halt their protests and prepare for the upcoming Durga Puja festivities was also criticised by the victim's mother, who called the plea "inhuman."

"It seems inhuman to me because I am the mother of a girl. I have lost a child, so I feel inhuman. If people from all over the country want to return for the (Durga Puja) festival, they can," she remarked, according to India Today's report. Reflecting on her personal loss, the mother added, "Durga Puja was celebrated in my house too. My daughter used to do it at home. But, now darkness has engulfed our lives. How can I tell people to celebrate the festival during this time?"

In a pointed question to the Bengal Chief Minister, she asked, "If such an incident had happened in her family, would she have said that?"

As Mamata Banerjee Urges ‘Return To Festivities’, Kolkata Victim's Mother Says Bengal CM Wants To 'Strangle The Movement'

Earlier in the day, Mamata Banerjee urged the public to "return to festivities" in light of the upcoming Durga Puja. "If you stay on the roads every night, elderly people suffer from sleep deprivation because of noise pollution. We haven’t acted on state pollution control board norms. One month has passed. I request you to return to festivities and demand that the CBI completes investigations at the earliest," Banerjee was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

However, the victim's mother was resolute in her stance, asserting that the protests would persist until justice was secured for her daughter. "Mamata Banerjee wants to strangle the movement. It is like my daughter was strangled and evidence was destroyed. Until we get justice, we will stay on the road," she declared, as quoted by the report.

Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association's (IMA) West Bengal unit has expressed unwavering support for the striking doctors in the state, despite the Supreme Court’s directive for them to return to work by 5 pm on Tuesday. The IMA's statement, issued in a press release, also conveyed deep disappointment with the Supreme Court's proceedings and the handling of the case by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The Supreme Court, under the leadership of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, has ordered the protesting doctors to resume their duties immediately, assuring them that no adverse action will be taken if they comply. The court emphasised that "any protest cannot be at the cost of duty" and urged the doctors to fulfil their medical responsibilities while ensuring their safety.