Kolkata: Expressing anguish over the horrific rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in at RG.Kar medical college and hospital in Kolkata, over 71 Padma awardee doctors have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding immediate intervention in the case.
71 Padma Awardee Doctors Write To PM Modi Seeking Separate Law For Healthcare Workers
The doctors, who represent the pinnacle of medical expertise in India, expressed deep anguish and concern over the incident, highlighting that such acts of brutality erode the very foundation of healthcare services. They have called for the swift enactment of a special law to address violence against healthcare personnel and the implementation of stringent safety protocols in medical institutions.
What Are They Suggesting?
They 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.
“We stand in unwavering solidarity with the victim’s family, whose pain and loss are unimaginable. We also extend our full support to the medical community, who are increasingly confronting such violence in the course of their work. The safety and dignity of healthcare professionals must be safeguarded with utmost priority,” the letter said.
The letter urges the government to implement improved safety protocols within healthcare facilities to ensure a secure working environment for all medical staff. “We urge the central and state governments to quickly enact and implement a separate law for the protection of healthcare workers, ensuring its rapid enforcement on the ground,” the letter said.
The demand for a separate law underscores the growing recognition of the vulnerability of healthcare workers, who often find themselves in harm’s way while fulfilling their duty to save lives. The Padma awardees have suggested that the Centre bring in an ordinance immediately to ensure the harshest possible punishment for those who perpetrate violence against medical professionals, whether physical or verbal.
The brutal incident has ignited nationwide protests, with students, activists, and concerned citizens demanding justice for the victim and stringent measures to prevent such crimes. The case has once again brought to the fore the issue of women’s safety in India and the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to combat violence against women.
Kolkata Rape and Murder Case
As the nation mourns the loss of a young life, the call for swift and decisive action grows louder. The Padma awardees’ plea to the Prime Minister is a clarion call for a safer environment for healthcare workers and a stronger commitment to ensuring justice for victims of sexual violence. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to this urgent appeal and what steps will be taken to address the deep-rooted issues that have led to this tragedy.
