IMA Doctors Nationwide Strike News Live Updates: Bengal guv seeks time to meet Shah, Nadda

Kolkata rape-murder case: Female junior docs in T'gana meet state women's panel chairperson to enhance security in hospitals

Female junior doctors in Telangana, who are protesting over the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata, on Sunday met the state Women's Commission Chairperson Nerella Sharada and urged her to take steps, including installation of CCTV cameras in hospitals, to enhance security for women medical personnel. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, a representative of the women doctors said CCTV cameras should be established in government hospitals and medical colleges and that a team should monitor the CCTV footage.
The other requests include developing a mobile app for working women which should have the facility to alert police and other officials when women are faced with any danger, she said.

Alleging that the special protection force (SPF) set up by the state government in 2019 has remained mostly on paper, she said the force should be deployed effectively with more security personnel being drafted into it.

Kolkata rape-murder case: Bengal governor seeks time to meet Shah, Nadda

West Bengal Governor Dr CV Anand Bose has sought time to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Health Minister JP Nadda regarding the incident with the doctor in RG Kar: Raj Bhavan, Kolkata

Kolkata rape-murder case: Padma awardee doctors write to PM Modi seeking separate law for healthcare workers

Expressing anguish over the Kolkata rape-murder incident, over 70 Padma awardee doctors have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding quick enactment of a special law to deal with violence against healthcare personnel and implementation of improved safety protocols in medical facilities. The renowned doctors like Ashok Vaid, Harsh Mahajan, Anoop Misra, A K Grover, Alka Kriplani and Mohsin Wali have sought PM Modi's "immediate and personal intervention" to address the "alarming" situation and suggested that the Centre bring an ordinance immediately to ensure the "harshest possible punishment" to those who indulge in violence against healthcare workers, whether verbal or physical.

There have been widespread protests by healthcare personnel and others following the alleged rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital and claims of a botched-up investigation and cover-up. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other doctors' bodies are pressing for a central law to ensure the safety of medics.

'We failed her in life but ...': IMA chief's heartfelt letter amid growing protests for doctors' safety

Indian Medical Association president Dr RV Asokan on Sunday penned down an emotion letter amid growing protests for doctors' safety after a postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata while on duty last week. "We failed her in life but, we as a nation did not let her down in death.It is difficult to capture the mood of the nation. Anger revulsion frustration helplessness," the letter read. Read more

Kolkata medic rape-murder case: BJP to continue protest, says Union minister Sukanta Majumdar

"Tomorrow BJP will organise Raksha Bandhan programmes for women's safety at 15 major locations in Kolkata under the leadership of Mahila Morcha...On August 20, our MLAs will protest. On August 21, our MPs will protest. On August 22, the protest will continue and we will gherao the Swasthya Bhavan. On August 23, our Mahila Morcha will protest. Our protest will continue demanding Mamata Banerjee's resignation."

'This should never happen to any other human being...' : Father of deceased doctor breaks down as he speaks about the horrific incident

Mother of the deceased doctor says, "Through you, we want to give a message to the people of the whole country. We are grateful to all the countrymen, people of the world and the state, we request that you stand with us until the accused is caught. We only wish that this should not happen to any mother, no one should lose their child like us...

The father says, "This should never happen to any other human being..."

Kolkata medic rape-murder case: Doctors hold an awareness march from Rajeev Chowk

'We are Indians first': Football rival fans unite to protest Kolkata doc rape-murder; several arrested

The Kolkata police on Sunday arrested several football fans after two fiercest rivals in Kolkata football joined hands to protest the rape-murder of the trainee doctor at a state run hospital in Kolkata. This after the Durand Cup derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, scheduled to happen today, was called off because of "intelligence inputs” that there will be “violence” at the venue.

The Police earlier in the day imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) outside the venue, before ​the protesting fans were detained. Read more

Kolkata medic rape-murder case: 'Police started a lathi charge'

Kolkata medic rape-murder case:I believe that football is not involved in any politics, says All India Football Federation president

All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey says ,"The first derby match of the season between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan was scheduled to be held today and the number of police personnel that has been deployed here to stop this match and to arrest the supporters who had come to watch the match, if even half of them were deployed then this match would have taken place today. East Bengal, Mohun Bagan matches should be held here. I believe that football is not involved in any politics, it is above all religion, caste. I am fully confident that if you organize the match here, there will be no ruckus, no unrest in the football ground, I am fully confident that all the people will support their teams peacefully but the match should not be shifted from here...The people of football also want that the culprit should be caught as soon as possible and the culprit should be punished."

Kolkata medic rape-murder case: Police detain football fans protesting against the rape and murder of a woman resident doctor

Kolkata medic rape-murder case:The Durand Cup match between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal scheduled to be held today was cancelled

'We failed her in life': IMA national president

'I told them it's not suicide but murder': Mother of deceased Kolkata doctor recalls seeing daughter's body

The mother of the 31-year-old doctor who was raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata while on duty recounted the events leading up to the devastating news of her daughter's demise saying "her pants were open, hand was broken, blood was coming out of her eyes and mouth." Read more

Kolkata medic rape-murder case: Medical students demonstrate against rape, murder of doctor

Students of different medical colleges took out a procession in Kolkata on Sunday, demanding justice for the doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Armed with posters and placards, the medics raised slogans seeking exemplary punishment for the perpetrators of the crime that happened on August 9.
Braving heavy rains, the medics walked in ankle-deep waters from College Street to Shyambazar.

They also raised slogans demanding an early conclusion of the investigation by the CBI, which was handed over the probe by the Calcutta High Court.

The postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at the RG Kar MCH. When a demonstration was underway against the gruesome incident in the early hours of August 15, a mob ransacked parts of the hospital.

SC takes suo motu cognizance of Kolkata rape-murder case: What could be the impact

The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognizance of the tragic rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata, which occurred on August 9. The action signifies that the court is initiating legal proceedings on its own accord, without a formal petition being filed. Taking suo motu cognizance allows the Supreme Court to address issues of significant public concern, especially when they involve fundamental rights and safety. Read more

Kolkata medic rape-murder case:Mother of deceased doctor in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-death case says

, "First we got a call from the hospital that your daughter is sick, then the call was disconnected. After that when I called and asked what happened, they told me to come to the hospital. When we called again, the (caller) identified himself as Assistant Super and said your daughter has committed suicide. She went to duty on Thursday, we got this call on Friday at 10:53pm. When we reached there, we were not allowed to see her, we were allowed to see her at 3 o'clock. Her pants were open, there was only one piece of cloth on her body. Her hand was broken, blood was coming out of her eyes, mouth. Just by looking at her, it seemed that someone had murdered her. I told them it is not suicide, it's a murder. We worked so hard to make our daughter a doctor but she was murdered."

Kolkata medic rape-murder case: SC takes suo motu cognizance of the rape and murder of a doctor in RG Kar Hospital at Kolkata

The Supreme Court on Sunday took suo motu cognizance of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata. A bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud will hear the matter on August 20. Read more

Kolkata medic rape-murder case: TMC workers stage a sit-in protest against the rape and murder of a woman resident doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital

Kolkata medic rape-murder case: CBI conducts psychological tests on prime suspect in Kolkata doctor's rape and murder

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has started conducting psychological tests on Sanjay Roy, the primary suspect in the rape and murder case of a female trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, said an ANI report citing sources on Sunday. According to reports, a team of psychology experts from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL). Read more

Kolkata medic rape-murder case: CBI team investigating rape & murder case of the woman doctor is examining and coducting 3D laser mapping

Kolkata medic rape-murder case: CBI team investigating the case

CBI team investigating rape & murder case of the woman doctor is examining and coducting 3D laser mapping in the Emergency ward of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata

Indian doctors in UK pen open letter to demand justice in Kolkata rape case

A group of Indian doctors and medical students in the UK have issued an open letter this weekend demanding justice for the postgraduate trainee doctor who was brutally raped and murdered at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The letter condemns the "brutal rape and murder of an on-duty female doctor" at the hospital and the "inaction" of the West Bengal government in its response to the incident last week.
The letter follows a peaceful protest staged outside India House in London and similar gatherings in UK cities such as Edinburgh and Leeds in solidarity with the doctors protesting in India.

"This incident is a symptom of the rising violence against women and the negligence of the state towards its citizens," reads the open letter.

"The absence of investment in public infrastructure and safety measures has a disproportionate impact on women, who are already marginalised by the patriarchal social conditions. Instead of supporting their empowerment by creating safe workplaces and efficient judicial mechanisms, government leaders, including Mamata Banerjee, have historically indulged in victim-blaming and misogynist responses," it notes.

"The death of the female doctor at RG Kar Medical College is an indication of the urgent necessity to implement public safety measures and internal complaint mechanisms in all workplaces in the country," it adds.

On August 9, a 31-year-old woman trainee doctor was raped and murdered at Kolkata's R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, leading to protests across India where demonstrators demanded justice for the victim.

Kalkata medic's rape-murder: Harbhajan writes to WB Guv, CM over 'delay' in justice

Former cricketer and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh has written to West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging them to "act swiftly and decisively" in the rape-murder case of a Kolkata doctor. "With deep anguish over delay in justice to the Kolkata rape and murder victim, the incident which had shaken the conscience of all of us, I have penned a heartfelt plea to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal , Ms. @MamataOfficial Ji and Hon'ble @BengalGovernor urging them to act swiftly and decisively," Singh said in a post on X.
The safety and dignity of women are non-negotiable, he said, adding the perpetrators of this heinous crime must face the full might of the law, and the punishment must be exemplary.

"Only then can we begin to restore faith in our system and ensure that such a tragedy never occurs again and we create a society where every woman feels safe and protected. We must ask ourselves '”if not now, when? I feel, the time for action is now," he said on X.

Kolkata rape: Police issue summonses to ex-BJP MP, renowned doctors for revealing victim's identity

The Kolkata Police have summoned former BJP MP Locket Chatterjee and two well-known doctors for allegedly spreading misinformation and revealing the identity of the woman doctor who was raped and murdered at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, according to a police officer. In addition to these three individuals, the police have also summoned 57 others for disseminating incorrect information about the incident.

The officer stated that Dr Kunal Sarkar and Dr Subarna Goswami were asked to appear before officers at the Kolkata Police Headquarters in Lalbazar at 3 pm on Sunday.

These individuals have been accused of disclosing the victim's identity, spreading rumors, and disseminating fake news, the officer added.

Dr Sarkar, a renowned cardiologist, confirmed that he had received the summons from the police requesting his appearance at Lalbazar. He mentioned that he is currently out of town and has informed the Kolkata Police about his situation. Although he is unsure of the reason for the summons, he speculated that some of his comments on social media might have elicited certain reactions both nationally and internationally, which could be the reason for the summons.

Dr Goswami, who serves as the Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Purba Bardhaman district, stated that he has not yet received the summons.

Kolkata rape-murder: Junior doctors continue stir, healthcare services remain affected across Bengal

The ongoing protest by junior doctors at state-run hospitals in West Bengal entered its tenth day on Sunday, as they continued their cease-work demanding justice for the woman doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The outpatient departments (OPDs) at government hospitals, which are typically closed on Sundays, saw a reduced rush of patients. Senior doctors were present in the emergency department to provide necessary treatment to those seeking medical assistance.

One of the protesting doctors expressed their stance, stating, "We are not for affecting healthcare services. We can understand the problems faced by the patients but our protest is very relevant in this context when an on-duty doctor was raped and murdered. Is this what we expect while coming to work? We will continue with our protest till our sister gets justice and the government arranges total security for us."

The tragic incident occurred on August 9, when the body of the woman postgraduate trainee doctor was discovered inside a seminar hall of the hospital. The following day, a civic volunteer was arrested for his alleged involvement in the heinous crime.

Govts are accusing each other, holding protests instead of working on that case: Nirbhaya's mother on RG Kar incident

Asha Devi, the mother of Nirbhaya, expressed her deep sorrow and anger over the rape and murder of a female resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, calling it "the most unfortunate thing that has happened." She criticized the ongoing political blame game, stating that governments are focusing on accusing each other and holding protests instead of addressing the case, women's safety, and the shortcomings in the law.

In a video message, Asha Devi questioned the actions of the West Bengal Chief Minister, who was protesting and demanding capital punishment despite having authority over the health ministry, police, and legal system. "The Health Ministry and the police fall under the Chief Minister's jurisdiction. I don't understand whom she is protesting against or from whom she is demanding capital punishment. The law is in her hands; the government can at least ensure the case is properly presented to the lower court," she said.

Asha Devi pointed out that whenever such incidents occur, Nirbhaya's name is invoked, but she questioned the progress made since the Nirbhaya case in 2012. She asked, "What have we learned from the Nirbhaya incident? What changes have been made to the system? ... We are still stuck in 2012."

She demanded swift punishment for all those involved in the case and expressed concern for women's safety. "If more than one person was involved, all the accused must be apprehended immediately and punished without delay. It is still unclear whether the victim was assaulted by one person or gang-raped. Such a heinous crime occurred while a doctor was on duty in a hospital. If doctors are not safe inside hospitals, what hope is there for the safety of ordinary women and girls?" she said.

In a show of solidarity and anguish against brutal rape and murder of a young doctor in Kolkata, hospitals across the country shut down all non-essential services, including OPD and routine surgeries, on Saturday on a call issued by Indian Medical Association (IMA), which has shot off a letter to the PM seeking his intervention.

Madhya Pradesh high court on Saturday ordered doctors to withdraw their strike, return to duty and ensure that no patient is left untreated. In the afternoon, Junior Doctors Association (JUDA) representatives informed HC that they had called off their strike.

West Bengal government has revoked the transfer of 42 doctors 24 hours after it issued the order. Sources said the recall order followed an intervention of chief minister Mamata Banerjee. There were allegations that the transfers were targeted at faculty members who protested the rape and murder of the trainee doctor at a state-run hospital.

Kolkata Police imposed 163 under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 around RG Kar Hospital for 7 days with effect from 18/08/24. During this period, no gathering, dharna or rally will be allowed there: Kolkata Police

Kolkata medic rape-murder case: Gauhati University PG students, teachers protest against Kolkata rape and murder

The Post Graduate Students' Union of Gauhati University, the research student community, the teachers' community as well as the families of Gauhati University took out a peace protest demanding justice and proper punishment to the guilty in the case of rape and murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

A huge peace rally was held at the main entrance of Gauhati University with a candle in hand.

More than a thousand students and teachers of the university participated in the rally.

Students and teachers demanded stringent punishment for the culprits through a fast-track court through protests.

Union ministry of home affairs on Saturday directed West Bengal DGP to give continuous monitoring and reporting on the law and order situation in response to the recent murder of a trainee woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

In an official communication, the MHA said, "Regarding the two-hourly law and order situation report, the competent authority has requested monitoring of the law and order situation in your state/UT following the murder of a trainee woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal."

Kolkata medic rape-murder case: Doctors' strike hits services in Himachal

Badar Singh arrived at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital for treatment of his knee from Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district but had to turn back after learning that doctors at the facility were taking part in a strike. "I have severe pain in my knee joints and can barely walk. I came from Renuka (in Sirmaur) to get treatment but was turned away. I had to spend Rs 1,000 to reach Shimla and that was very expensive for me as I come from a poor background," he said as he looked for an affordable place to spend the night.

Singh was among the hundreds of patients at various healthcare facilities deprived of elective services due to an ongoing strike by doctors and medics.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) is observing a 24-hour nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency services from 6 am on Saturday in the backdrop of the alleged rape and murder of a medic at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and the subsequent vandalism at the facility.

The West Bengal government on Saturday announced a slew of measures to ensure the safety of women in workplaces, particularly at state-run hospitals, where they have to work on night shifts, too, including designated retiring rooms and CCTV-monitored 'safe zones'. Chief Advisor to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Alapan Bandyopadhyay, announced the measures during a press meet here, amid continuing protests by doctors across the state against the alleged rape and murder of a medic at RG Kar hospital.

Apart from hospitals and medical colleges, hostels and other places engaging women during night shifts will now come under the ambit of a flagship programme 'Rattirer Sathi – Helpers of the Night', comprising volunteers, he said.

CBI to conduct psychological assessment of accused

The CBI will conduct a psychological assessment of Sanjay Roy, the accused in a rape-and-murder case of a doctor in Kolkata that has triggered nationwide protests, officials said on Saturday. A team of psychological and behavioural analysts from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Delhi has arrived in Kolkata to conduct the necessary tests, they said.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has already taken Roy into custody.

The federal agency questioned Dr Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the incident took place, for a second consecutive day on Saturday in connection with the alleged rape and killing of the trainee doctor.

The agency had taken Ghosh for questioning on Friday and it continued till 1:40 am on Saturday.

The body of the 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor, who was allegedly raped and killed inside a seminar hall of the state-run hospital, was found on August 9. Roy, a civic volunteer, was arrested in this connection.

'Don't want to be next victim': Delhi medics march against peer's rape, murder in Kolkata

"I don't want to be the next victim", read placards carried by several women medics who were part of a march here on Saturday to protest against the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a state-run hospital in Kolkata last week. Hundreds of medics, including doctors and resident doctors, wearing stethoscopes over their white aprons, started their march from the Lady Hardinge Medical College on the sixth day of their agitation over the incident and to press for their demands such as a central law to check violence against healthcare personnel.
On reaching Connaught Place, they held an around 25-minute sit-in, before police removed barricades and allowed them to proceed to the Jantar Mantar for the next phase of their demonstration -- a candle light march.

CBI psychologist joins Kolkata doctor rape-murder investigation

A psychologist from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team has arrived in Kolkata to assist in the investigation into the rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, ANI reported citing sources.

Junior doctors, interns, and resident doctors, along with medical students, staged dharnas and protest rallies at different medical colleges in the state on Saturday, demanding justice for the trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at a medical college in Kolkata on August 9.

Doctor murder: Durga Puja organiser calls upon others to decline Bengal govt's Rs 85,000 honorarium

Amid protests against the rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata, BJP leader and chief organiser of crowd-puller Santosh Mitra Square Puja Committee, Sajal Ghosh on Saturday called upon all Durga Puja committees across West Bengal to decline the state government's Rs 85,000 honorarium as a mark of protest against "failure to ensure women safety". Ghosh, who has been organising the puja for several years in north Kolkata showcasing various themes drawing lakhs of revellers, told PTI, "Women are being violated, raped, killed in public places, in workplaces and at homes under the regime of Mamata Banerjee who has failed to ensure their safety. When faced with mounting public anger, she is blaming everyone but herself for the situation."

Kolkata rape-murder case: Vandalism at hospital was attempt to 'cover up truth', alleges CPI(M)

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Saturday said the vandalism at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital was an attempt to "cover up the truth", and called for ensuring justice to the woman trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at the health facility last week. On Thursday early morning, a group of people vandalised the emergency department, nursing unit and medicine store, and damaged CCTV cameras as a large number of people, including medics, were protesting against the incident.

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday accused opposition CPI(M) and BJP in the state of orchestrating vandalism at the hospital and attempting to obscure the truth behind the rape and murder of the trainee doctor by spreading fake news on social media.

IMA seeks PM Modi's 'benign intervention' to curb violence against doctors

The IMA on Saturday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "benign intervention" to bring a central law to check violence against healthcare personnel and declare hospitals as safe zones with mandatory security entitlements. These are among the demands made by the apex doctors' body in the backdrop of the alleged rape and murder of a medic at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and the subsequent vandalism at the facility.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA), which is observing a 24-hour nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency

Jungle raj prevailing in Bengal, claims Chouhan on Kolkata medico's rape-murder

Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday demanded justice for the trainee doctor raped and murdered at a government hospital in Kolkata while stating that West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has become "nirmam" (ruthless) and "jungle raj" prevailed in her state. The rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9 has caused nationwide outrage, sparking protests by doctors across the country.

Members of LGBTQIA+ community staged a protest against the rape-murder incident at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital

Member of the Trans community says, "I have come here to protest against whatever has happened, it is injustice for the girl...When the girl was raped and everyone was protesting on the roads no legislature had come out...When the public is in the problem they should have come...Rape is an unpardonable crime..."

Gurugram private doctors suspend work in protest against Kolkata medic's murder

Doctors of private hospitals in Gurugram went on a strike on Saturday in protest against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's Medical College and Hospital. At the call of the Indian Medical Association-Gurugram, doctors suspended OPD and operation theatre services, an IMA official said.

Doctors, along with the members of the Lions' Club and other bodies, gathered at John Hall in the morning from where they took to the street, demanding justice for the medic.

IMA's District President Dr Ajay Sharma said that the medics will be on strike till 6 pm Sunday and only emergency services will be operational.

Mamata should avoid doing politics over doctor's rape-murder: Himanta

Assam chief minister Himant Biswa Sarma on Friday lashed out at his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee, asking her to "stop indulging in politics" over the rape and murder of a woman doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Sarma's assertion while speaking to reporters here on the sidelines of a BJP meeting came in response to Banerjee accusing the opposition parties in West Bengal of being behind vandalism at the hospital in north Kolkata on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.

"The incident that happened in Kolkata is very sad and the people of West Bengal and the entire country are in a state of shock. Mamata didi should avoid doing politics over the matter. She should focus on finding out who was behind the incident and fixing the accountability," Sarma said while replying to a query on Banerjee's allegations.

Durand Cup derby ( Mohun Bagan and East Bengal) cancelled amid protests over doctor's rape and murder in Kolkata

Mamata Banerjee failed to handle situation, should resign: Nirbhaya's mother on Kolkata rape-murder

Amid protests against the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor in West Bengal, the mother of Nirbhaya, the victim of the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, on Saturday demanded the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee saying she had "failed" to handle the situation. Instead of using her power to act against the culprits, the chief minister is trying to divert people's attention by holding protests, Asha Devi.

Criticising Banerjee, Asha Devi said, "Instead of using her authority to take action against the culprits, Mamata Banerjee is trying to mislead the public."

"Mamata Banerjee is protesting to divert people's attention from this issue. She herself is a woman. She should have taken strict action against the culprits while discharging her responsibility as the head of the state. She should resign because she has failed to handle the situation," she added.

'Rise above party politics': Mayawati on rape-murder of Kolkata doctor

BSP supremo Mayawati on Saturday urged political parties to "rise above party politics" on the issue of rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata. "The whole country is worried and angry over the atrocity of rape-murder of a lady doctor in Bengal, yet the TMC government is trying to give it a religious and political colour in its defense, while the opposition is no less in this matter.
"In such a situation, it is important to worry about how the culprits will get strict punishment and the victim's family justice," Mayawati posted on 'X' in Hindi.

Assam: Demonstrations, processions by doctors demanding justice for rape-murder victim

Doctors across Assam on Saturday joined the nationwide protest against the alleged rape and murder of a medic in a Kolkata hospital, demanding exemplary punishment for the culprits, a central law to ensure safety of medical professionals and better security infrastructure at their workplaces and public areas. Outpatient departments and non-essential services came to a near halt in all hospitals during the day as doctors assembled on the premises, wearing black badges and displaying placards to press for their demands.