SMCH in Midst of Controversy after Issuing Diktat Asking Female Doctors to Avoid Roaming Alone in Night

According to the principal cum chief superintendent of the institute, Dr Bhaskar Gupta, the advisory was issued in view of the recent tragic and reprehensible incident at R.G. Kar Medical

The Silchar Medical College & Hospital (SMCH) has found itself in the midst of a controversy after a diktat was issued on Tuesday asking female doctors and other staff to avoid roaming alone in the night.

According to the principal cum chief superintendent of the institute, Dr Bhaskar Gupta, the advisory was issued in view of the recent tragic and reprehensible incident at R.G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata.

The advisory stated that female doctors, students, and staff should, as much as possible, avoid situations where they are alone, refrain from leaving hostel or lodging rooms and avoid roaming in the isolated, poorly lit, and sparsely populated areas at night, unless absolutely necessary, with prior information to the concerned authority.

The advisory further suggested them to avoid going off-campus during late or odd hours. It advised all hostel boarders to abide by the hostel norms & regulations laid by the institute and administration. It further advised all hostel boarders to have an emergency contact in case of urgent situations.

The directive also emphasized adherence to hostel norms and regulations and encouraged immediate reporting of any issues or grievances to the Gender Harassment Committee, Disciplinary Committee, Internal Complaint Committee, or Anti-Ragging Committee.

While the advisory was framed as a safety precaution in light of the recent incident in Kolkata, it has drawn criticism from various quarters for placing the burden of safety on female doctors rather than ensuring the safety and security of female doctors and female staff.

The advisory came amid nationwide protests following the brutal murder of a 22-year-old female doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. The doctor’s body was discovered on Friday morning on the fourth floor of the emergency department. Allegations of rape and murder have fueled outrage, with reports that her clothing was disheveled and the seminar hall where her body was found lacked CCTV cameras.

In response to the tragic incident, doctors across India have taken to the streets, demanding justice and enhanced safety measures for healthcare professionals.

On Monday evening, doctors from all departments at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) staged a large candlelight march, expressing their grief and solidarity with the victim. The Junior Doctors’ Association of SMCH called for an impartial autopsy, a judicial investigation into the murder, and stronger safety protocols for doctors across the country. Protesters chanted slogans such as “We demand justice for the murder” and “Ensure our safety.”

As protests continue, the healthcare community remains united in their demand for justice for the murdered doctor and for systemic changes to ensure the safety of doctors nationwide.

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