Transfer of 10 doctors and 190 nursing staff in protest against the rape and murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata.

The recent incident of rape and murder of a female doctor at the government RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata has shocked the entire country. Protests against this horrific event are ongoing, with people demanding justice. Meanwhile, following the violence and vandalism at RG Kar Hospital on the night of August 14, 10 doctors and 190 nursing staff have been transferred. The state government has also transferred several doctors from Kolkata Medical College and other hospitals following the incident of violence. These transfer orders were issued by the Bengal government on Friday. It is alleged that these doctors and medical staff were involved in the strike against the crime committed against the female doctor. The decision to transfer the doctors and nursing staff comes at a time when they were actively protesting against the crime.

The BJP has sharply reacted to this transfer decision. The party has alleged that doctors who criticized the state government were transferred. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has termed the decision of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government as a “Talibani fatwa.” Poonawalla shared a post on X (formerly Twitter), claiming that doctors who spoke out against the heinous incident were transferred on the orders of Mamata Banerjee. He also shared WhatsApp chat screenshots confirming that the state government targeted those who were vocal against the incident.

BJP IT cell chief and party’s Bengal co-in-charge Amit Malviya also attacked the state government regarding the transfers. He wrote, “On August 16, the Bengal government’s health department released an eight-page long transfer list, exacerbating the situation.” Malviya alleged that Mamata Banerjee is targeting Kolkata Medical College and Calcutta National Medical College. Senior doctors from these institutions have been transferred to places like Siliguri, Tamluk, and Jhargram. He described it as a desperate attempt by the government to intimidate senior doctors and gain their support.

The incident of violence at RG Kar Hospital on the night of August 14-15 took a new turn when a group of around 40 people entered the hospital premises, causing extensive damage and mayhem. Following this, the hospital’s nursing staff went on strike demanding security and created a hostile environment against the principal. Additionally, junior doctors at the hospital have been on strike for a long time, conducting demonstrations. The state government’s action comes amidst criticisms that it has targeted protesting doctors. Many experts view such measures as an attempt to suppress dissent and prevent marginalized voices from being heard.

By Neelam Singh.