Even as protests and political blame game continue over the rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took a swipe at her ally Congress, saying several such incidents have been reported in the states ruled by the grand old party.
Mamata’s remarks came after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the “attempt to save the accused” instead of providing justice to the victim raises serious questions on the hospital and the local administration.
"I want to ask Congress... how many incidents have taken place in your states... what action do you take?,” asked the chief minister.
“Under the CPI(M) rule in West Bengal, there were a plethora of heinous crimes (but) the then government was silent. Since there was no social media then... people were not so aware," she added.
Earlier, Rahul, in a post on X, said there is an atmosphere of insecurity among the doctors' community and women with the revelations about the manner of the cruel and inhuman act against the victim in Kolkata case.
कोलकाता में जूनियर डॉक्टर के साथ हुई रेप और मर्डर की वीभत्स घटना से पूरा देश स्तब्ध है। उसके साथ हुए क्रूर और अमानवीय कृत्य की परत दर परत जिस तरह खुल कर सामने आ रही है, उससे डॉक्टर्स कम्युनिटी और महिलाओं के बीच असुरक्षा का माहौल है।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 14, 2024
पीड़िता को न्याय दिलाने की जगह आरोपियों को…
Hitting back at the Congress leader, the ruling Trinamool Congress said his allegations are baseless.
“Before making such remarks, he should check and cross-check facts. He must not forget the dismal track record regarding women's safety during the Rajiv Gandhi (former PM) regime and (previous) Congress governments at the Centre,” TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said.
Banerjee, meanwhile, welcomed the Calcutta High Court order granting a CBI probe into the alleged rape and murder of the trainee doctor. She slammed the opposition CPI(M) and the BJP for allegedly trying to politicise the incident and fuel protests in the state.
The chief minister also appealed to the protesting doctors to lift the cease work and join duties as healthcare services are badly impacted.
“We would abide by the Calcutta High Court's order and extend all support to the CBI. We have no problem with CBI being handed over the case as we want it solved at the earliest," she said.
