Kolkata doctor murder: Appointment of former principal of RG Kar Medical College Sandip Ghosh at CNMC in Kolkata triggers massive protest
Times of India | 13 August 2024
The appointment of Sandip Ghosh to Calcutta National Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata led to a massive protest. KOLKATA: The appointment of former Principal of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, to Calcutta National Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata led to a massive protest. Students opposed the reassignment and raised concerns when West Bengal minister Javed Ahmed Khan and TMC MLA Swarna Kamal visited the institution. The protest followed a nationwide shutdown called by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) in response to the sexual assault and murder of a post-graduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital on August 9.
Dr. Sandip Ghosh resigned from his position at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital a day before being reassigned. Students at Calcutta National Medical College & Hospital viewed his reinstatement as unethical and potentially dangerous. They demanded justice from minister Javed Ahmed Khan and vocally opposed Dr. Ghosh's appointment with "Go Back" slogans. Their primary concern was to prevent a recurrence of the incident at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital.
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) announced a nationwide shutdown of Outpatient Department (OPD) services starting Tuesday. The protest was in response to the murder and alleged sexual assault of a woman post-graduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. Due to the shutdown, the OPD at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital was closed, causing uncertainty among patients seeking medical services.
"Have been standing here for 2 hours. We don't know if the hospital is open. Nobody has told us anything," said a patient waiting in line at the hospital.
Indian Medical Association (IMA) has demanded a thorough and impartial investigation from the West Bengal government. IMA's letter to Union Minister JP Nadda called for an inquiry into the conditions that allowed such a crime to occur and to improve the safety of doctors, especially women, in the workplace.
''We submit to you our demand for the safe zone, defined security measures and Central Law on violence as deterrent measures. We hope you would consider our demands favourably in the light of the deteriorating ground situation,'' reads the IMA's letter.
The trainee doctor was found raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.
Earlier on Monday, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had issued a statement demanding justice and stringent measures to ensure the safety of doctors. They emphasized the need for urgent reforms and safety protocols in medical institutions.
The protests highlighted the tension and urgency among medical students and professionals in ensuring safe working conditions and justice for the deceased doctor.