close_game
close_game

70 Padma awardees seek PM Modi’s intervention to bring justice in Kolkata rape and murder case

By, New Delhi
Aug 19, 2024 06:21 AM IST

At least 70 Padma awardees wrote to PM Modi asking him to intervene to see justice done in brutal rape and murder of a resident doctor in a Kolkata Hospital.

New Delhi: At least 70 Padma awardees wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asking him to personally intervene to see justice is done in the brutal rape and murder of a resident doctor in a Kolkata Hospital.

Doctors take out candle march demanding justice for the alleged sexual assault and murder of a female postgraduate trainee doctor of the Kolkata RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, at Connaught Place, in New Delhi on Sunday. (ANI)
Doctors take out candle march demanding justice for the alleged sexual assault and murder of a female postgraduate trainee doctor of the Kolkata RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, at Connaught Place, in New Delhi on Sunday. (ANI)

“We… write to you with deep concern and profound anguish regarding the horrific events that recently occurred at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. As the head of our nation, we implore your immediate and personal intervention to address this alarming situation. Such acts of brutality shake the very foundations of service by medical professionals and highlight the urgent need to address violence, particularly against women, girls, and health care professionals,” the letter said.

Signatories to the letter included luminaries of the medical profession such as chairman of Fortis Escorts Heart Institute Dr Ashok Seth, former director of AIIMS Delhi Dr Randeep Guleria, founder of Mahajan Imaging Dr Harsh Mahajan, director of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences Dr SK Sarin, head of the department of endocrinology, AIIMS Delhi, Dr Nikhil Tandon, and chairman, Institute of Digestive and Hepatobiliary Sciences, Medanta The Medicity, Dr Randhir Sud.

The doctors have put forth five demands in their letter to the PM, including stricter enforcement of existing laws; harsher and time-bound punishments for perpetrators of sexual violence; enhanced safety measures in hospitals and medical institutions; enactment and implementation of a special law for the protection of health care workers; and harshest possible punishment for violence against health care workers.

“The entire medical fraternity is united in this, and we also stand in solidarity. It was decided to convey our sentiments and opinion to the highest authority,” said Dr Mahajan, who is one of the signatories.

The doctors further said, “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 health care professionals must be safeguarded with utmost priority.”

Doctors felt it was clear that stronger measures are desperately needed to prevent such atrocities, and called upon law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and the society at large to take immediate and decisive action.

“… As recipients of one of the nation’s prestigious civilian honours, we feel a deep responsibility to speak out and demand timely action and appropriate changes… We earnestly appeal to you through this letter to safeguard the medical profession against physical assaults and defacement of the dignity and respect of all health care workers.”

Earlier on Saturday, members of the Indian Medical Association also wrote to the PM, requesting him to ensure that women workers are safe at their workplaces.

Get Current Updates on...
See more
Get Current Updates on India News, Weather Today along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, November 05, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On
// // //