Bengal Govt Revokes Transfer of Doctors After BJP Criticism In New Row Over Kolkata Doctor's Rape-Murder Case

West Bengal government has revoked the transfer order of 42 professors and doctors working in several medical colleges and hospitals across the state that was issued earlier in the day. Bengal Health Secretary stated that the transfer was a “routine exercise” and that its approval was taken before the incident of rape and murder of the woman PG trainee doctor in RG Kar MCH on August 9. “We have revoked the order now,” the Health Secretary said.

Sources said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee directed the Health Secretary to revoke the transfer order.

The Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government had, earlier in the day, issued an order for the transfer of 42 professors and doctors working in several medical colleges and hospitals across the state amid the ongoing nationwide protests over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. Sources in the administration, however, termed it a routine move.

According to the official notification dated 16 August 2024, 42 professors and doctors were appointed and transferred within the West Bengal Medical Education Service (WB-MES) across the state. Among those transferred, there are two doctors — Dr Sangeeta Paul and Dr Supriya Das — who were posted at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

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The government’s decision of massive reshuffle amid the ongoing protests drew an ire of the doctors’ associations and the opposition BJP, calling it a conspiracy and an attempt to “scare” senior healthcare professionals.

Doctors’ Association Condemns Order

United Doctors Front Association strongly condemned the transfer move and said that such measures won’t silence the demands for justice and security.

“We strongly condemn the @MamataOfficial @BengalGovernor unjust transfer of faculty members who supported our protest. These punitive measures will not silence our demands for justice and security. We stand united and resolute in our fight,” it said in a post on X.

The timing of these transfers has raised concerns about the government’s intentions and the potential impact on the ongoing protests.

Reacting to the transfer order, the protesting doctors at RG Kar Medical College said that they have heard about the transfer of some senior professors but were unsure if it is connected to the protest.

Read More: ‘Who Is She Protesting Against’: BJP Mocks Mamata’s Counterrally Over Kolkata Doctor’s Rape-Murder

A protesting doctor said, “It is correct that some of the doctors transferred are part of our movement…they are supporting our protest. But if this transfer is because of their support is unclear. We are trying to ascertain facts. If it is true then we would want the transfer order to be taken back.”

BJP Criticises West Bengal Government

The opposition BJP has also hit out at Mamata Banerjee’s TMC government criticising the transfer orders.

BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya accused the state government of making a “desperate attempt to scare the senior doctor community into submission”.

“On August 16, West Bengal government’s Health Ministry has issued an eight-page long list of transfer orders, adding to the already chaotic situation. On Mamata Banerjee’s target is Medical College Kolkata and Calcutta National Medical College. These two are the epicentre of protests against her fascist regime. This is a desperate attempt to scare the senior doctor community into submission. What is Mamata Banerjee trying to hide?,” he said in a post on X.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also hit out at TMC for their ‘dictatorial’ mindset when doctors and medical staff are on streets demanding justice.

“TMC means Tanashahi Mujhe Chahiye. Instead of cracking down on gang rapists of Bengal RG Kar Hospital – Mamata govt is busy cracking down on those crusading for justice.. Mamata Banerjee is behaving like a real dictator Indira Gandhi or Kim Jong or Stalin would be proud of!” he said on X.

TMC’s Response on Transfer Row

Amid the row, the TMC has accused its political rivals of what they describe as a false narrative. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said, “Whatever they are saying is wrong . They do Hathras, Unnao. In this RG Kar incident, within 12 hours, the accused was arrested. They are creating trouble with fake narrative. If they have problem with notice, ask them to go to court.”

Read More: CBI Turns Up the Heat on Ex-RG Kar Principal Sandip Ghosh as Kin Allege Murdered Doctor Was ‘Under Pressure’

The administration sources who did not want to be named also said that these were routine transfers and rejected allegations of links to the ongoing protests.

The horrific incident has shaken the country with nationwide protests going on demanding the prompt action in the investigation. Junior doctors and medical students across the hospitals and medical colleges in Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and other cities staged a protest demanding speedy justice.

Nationwide Protests

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a nationwide strike. IMA has declared a 24-hour withdrawal of services by all the modern medicine doctors of the country irrespective of the sector and place of work. Emergencies and casualties will function. No OPDs. No elective surgeries. The withdrawal commenced at 6 am on Saturday and will end at 6 am on Sunday 18 August 2024.

The Calcutta High Court has handed over the case to the CBI for further investigation.