'Avoid Being Alone': After Backlash, Assam Hospital Cancels Advisory For Woman Doctors Amid Outrage Over Kolkata Case

Amid protests over the brutal rape and killing of a 31-year-old woman trainee PG doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar MCH, a state-run medical college in Assam cancelled an advisory issued earlier for women doctors and students, in which the administration had asked them to “avoid situations where they are alone”. The Silchar Medical College and Hospital’s advisory had faced backlash on social media with people calling it “misogynistic”.

The notification had stated that the hospital administration finds it necessary to issue the advisory in view of the tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.

“Female doctors, students, and staff should generally avoid isolated, poorly lit, and sparsely populated areas. Female doctors, students, and staff should, as much as possible, avoid situations where they are alone,” the advisory had said.

“Avoid going off-campus during late or odd hours. All Hostel borders should abide by the hostel norms & regulations laid by the institute and administration. Be cautious and avoid associating with individuals who appear unknown or are suspicious in nature,” the document had further stated.

The advisory had also asked woman doctors to be “well composed emotionally, remain alert about the surroundings and should graciously interact with the public while on duty, so that you don’t attract unnecessary attention of unscrupulous people”.

The students on campus had criticised the notification demanding that authorities must improve security arrangements instead of telling them to stay in their rooms.

The Junior Doctors’ Association of the college had condemned the advisory, calling the document’s language “disturbing”, an NDTV report said.

Meanwhile, strikes have continued in many parts of the country against the rape and murder of the woman PG trainee doctor. A team from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the probe in the case following an order passed by the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday.