Close X
Saturday, November 16, 2024
ADVT 
India

Padma-awardee doctors seek PM's intervention in RG Kar case

Darpan News Desk IANS, 19 Aug, 2024 04:27 PM
  • Padma-awardee doctors seek PM's intervention in RG Kar case

New Delhi, Aug 18 (IANS) Over 70 Padma-awardee doctors on Sunday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his personal intervention in the case connected to the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata last week, triggering nationwide protests by the medical fraternity.

“As the head of our nation, we implore your immediate and personal intervention to address the alarming situation. We look forward to your quick and decisive action. 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 healthcare professionals,” read the letter.

The doctors also urged the Prime Minister to take strong measures to prevent such atrocities from re-occurring .

“We call upon the law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and the society at large to take immediate and decisive action,” the letter said.

The doctors also made the following recommendations:

* Stricter enforcement of existing laws: The doctors emphasised the need for law enforcement agencies to more rigorously apply current legal frameworks to protect healthcare professionals.

* Harsher and time-bound punishment for perpetrators of sexual violence: The doctors called for severe and swift penalties to serve as a deterrent against such crimes.

* Enhanced safety measures at hospitals and medical institutions: The letter urged the government to implement improved safety protocols within the healthcare facilities to ensure a secure working environment for all medical staff.

* Enactment and implementation of a special law for the protection of healthcare workers: The letter urged 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.

A proposed bill, ‘The Prevention of Violence Against Doctors, Medical Professionals and Medical Institutions Bill', is ready since 2019 but has not yet been tabled in the Parliament for passage and adoption.

“We strongly believe that an ordinance to this effect can be brought immediately, and the Bill should be passed post-haste so that all those working in healthcare delivery systems in the country can work without fear, in service of the suffering patients,” the letter read.

* Harshest possible punishment for violence against healthcare workers: The proposed Ordinance/Bill should ensure that harshest possible punishment is given to those who indulge in violence against healthcare workers, whether verbal or physical. Such cases should be resolved swiftly by the judiciary, with offences categorised as non-bailable.

The letter said: “We should not allow such acts to become normalised or forgotten. 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."

The doctors also said that they stand in unwavering solidarity with the victim’s family as they extended full support to the medical community, which is increasingly confronting such violence in the course of their work.

MORE India ARTICLES

Delhi Police arrest editor of NewsClick; seize phones, laptops of journos

Delhi Police arrest editor of NewsClick; seize phones, laptops of journos
Police in New Delhi, India have arrested the editor of a news website and its human resources chief after raiding the homes of journalists working for the site and seizing their laptops and cellphones. NewsClick has been critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist-led government.

Delhi Police arrest editor of NewsClick; seize phones, laptops of journos

Empowering Change: The Impactful Journey of CARE India in 70 Years

Empowering Change: The Impactful Journey of CARE India in 70 Years
CARE India, an affiliate of the global CARE network, is a leading humanitarian and development organization operational in India for over 70 years. The organization envisions a world where everyone can exercise their rights and live a life of dignity. 

Empowering Change: The Impactful Journey of CARE India in 70 Years

India needs to increase solar capacity by 36% every year: Ember

India needs to increase solar capacity by 36% every year: Ember
India needs to increase annual solar capacity additions by 36 per cent every year to meet its 2027 target, a new analysis by global energy think tank Ember said on Tuesday. Solar and wind could drive two-third of power generation growth by 2032 if India is on track to deliver its electricity plan, based on its analysis. 

India needs to increase solar capacity by 36% every year: Ember

Delhi Police raid over 30 locations linked to NewsClick; seize phones, laptops of journos

Delhi Police raid over 30 locations linked to NewsClick; seize phones, laptops of journos
Delhi Police’s Special Cell on Tuesday raided more than 30 locations in the national capital which included the premises of NewsClick, as well as the residences of its journalists, after the media outlet was accused of receiving funds from China. However, no arrests have been made so far.  

Delhi Police raid over 30 locations linked to NewsClick; seize phones, laptops of journos

Delhi excise policy case: SC to hear Manish Sisodia's bail plea on Wednesday

Delhi excise policy case: SC to hear Manish Sisodia's bail plea on Wednesday
The apex court adjourned the bail plea hearing after a joint request by lawyers from both sides on September 15. Sisodia has two special leave petitions listed for Wednesday against the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED). He is facing a money laundering probe in connection with the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.

Delhi excise policy case: SC to hear Manish Sisodia's bail plea on Wednesday

Two prime suspects in Rs 18 crore crypto fraud case in Himachal arrested

Two prime suspects in Rs 18 crore crypto fraud case in Himachal arrested
Two prime accused in the crypto currency fraud of approximate Rs 18 crore have been arrested by the Special Investigating Team of Himachal Pradesh Police, officials investigating the scam said on Tuesday. The SIT headed by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Abhishek Dullar comprising 13 members was constituted on September 26 to investigate cases related to crypto currency.

Two prime suspects in Rs 18 crore crypto fraud case in Himachal arrested