Kolkata rape-murder case: Junior doctors continue protest, criticise BJP's Suvendu Adhikari
Kolkata: Junior doctors protesting the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College have criticised BJP Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari for his comments regarding the ongoing protests. Adhikari claimed that those chanting "Go Back" at BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul were not junior doctors, a statement the doctors firmly rejected, accusing him of attempting to politicise their movement.
The protest, which has entered its fourth night, continued despite heavy rain outside Swasthya Bhavan in Salt Lake. Junior doctors have emphasised that they will not allow their demands for justice to be used for political gain. The doctors' movement, which started after the August 9 incident, calls for systemic changes in the state’s healthcare infrastructure.
The junior doctors have listed several key demands, including the identification and arrest of those responsible for the rape and murder of the trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital. They are also calling for the resignation of Kolkata Police commissioner Vineet Goyal, disciplinary action against former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh, improved safety measures for healthcare workers, and the resignation of senior health officials in the state.
They also sent a letter to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting intervention in the ongoing impasse at RG Kar Hospital. Copies were also sent to Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Union Health Minister JP Nadda. Their demands include the holding of student union elections in medical colleges, forming a resident doctors' association, and conducting transparent elections for the West Bengal Medical Council.
Despite the heavy rain, the doctors continued their 'cease work' and sit-in demonstration outside Swasthya Bhavan, calling for justice. The Kolkata Police have installed CCTV cameras at the protest site to monitor the situation and ensure security.
The doctors expressed disappointment after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rejected their request to live telecast a meeting with state officials. They argued that their demand was reasonable, given that parliamentary discussions and administrative meetings are often broadcast live. The doctors were also frustrated with being asked to leave their electronic devices outside the meeting room, which prevented them from recording the proceedings.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
