It was alleged that doctors were targeted for taking part in the protest following the rape-murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, an allegation denied by the Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam, who announced the decision at a press conference.
“The process of the transfer that is being talked about started about two months before the August 9 incident at RG Kar. Even the authorities concerned had given permission for the transfers much before… But there was a delay in issuing the order,” he said.
Among the 42 doctors, 12 were transferred out of Kolkata. The transfer order triggered uproar with the Opposition accusing the government of “punitive action”. “If the Health Department of West Bengal Govt doesn’t know what it is doing, then the Health Minister Mamata Banerjee should resign. Withdrawing the transfer order of over 40 qualified senior doctors within 24 hours is a sinister ploy.
The order was issued to target protesting doctors, instil fear in them and has now been withdrawn because it has served the intended purpose. But Mamata Banerjee should know that her attempts to crush the protests, using illegitimate means, is further fueling people’s anger,” BJP’s IT cell chief Amit Malviya said on X.
On why the order was revoked, Nigam said that since the doctors are now providing services in different places, replacing them may cause service disruptions in this situation and added that the next decision in this regard will be announced in a few days.
Amid criticism of the state government, TMC leader said, “Several incidents of rape and murder have taken place in BJP-ruled states. We haven’t forgotten what happened in Manipur, Unnao, Hathras, and Kathua. At least the prime accused has been arrested within 24 hours in the RG Kar case. The chief minister has sought a death sentence and has even said she would transfer the case to the CBI. Several fake audio messages are being posted on social media. Why aren’t these people going to the CBI?”
The college council in Medical College was gheraoed by students, alleging that three professors whose names were on the transfer list — which now stands withdrawn — were “targeted as they openly supported the students’ movement against the RG Kar incident.”
BJP alleged that since the doctors had protested against the rape and murder of a doctor, an order was issued to move them out.
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