Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed the principal of a medical college to retract an advisory issued to students that has been widely criticized as regressive, particularly in the wake of public outrage over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in a Kolkata hospital.
The advisory from Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) suggested that female doctors and students should “avoid situations where they are alone.”
In response, Mr. Sarma told NDTV, “That advisory was not necessary. I spoke with the principal yesterday, and they have now withdrawn it.”
The advisory, issued by SMCH principal Dr. Bhaskar Gupta following the tragic incident at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, has been canceled. Dr. Gupta confirmed that a new advisory will be released soon.
The original advisory had also recommended that women doctors, students, and staff avoid “isolated, poorly lit, and sparsely populated areas.” It further advised them to remain emotionally composed, stay alert, and interact with the public cautiously to avoid attracting attention from “unscrupulous people.”
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Students at SMCH protested against the advisory, calling for improved security measures on campus. Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA) president Salman Choudhury expressed disappointment, stating that the advisory was “regressive” and failed to address the actual security concerns at the college.
“The advisory does not tackle the main issues at SMCH and is deeply problematic,” he said, urging the authorities to enhance lighting in the hospital area, provide dedicated washroom facilities, ensure security in doctors’ rooms, and install CCTV cameras.
