Sandip Gosh resigned from his post as the principal of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Monday amid the nationwide strike by the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) in connection with the rape and murder of a trainee-doctor.
Speaking to reporters after stepping down from his position, Dr Ghosh claimed that he was being defamed on social media over the incident and said that the deceased doctor was “like his daughter.”
“I am getting defamed on social media. It is not good. The deceased doctor was like my daughter. As a parent, I resign. I don’t like that this should happen to anyone in future,” Dr Ghosh said while speaking to reporters in Kolkata.
FORDA has announced a nationwide strike demanding justice and an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the death of the trainee doctor.
Doctors held demonstrations outside hospitals across the country, including Lok Nayak Hospital and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi, on Monday.
FORDA general secretary Sarvesh Pandey said that the protests will continue till their demands are fulfilled and added that around 3 lakh doctors across the county have joined the protest.
The doctors are demanding a CBI inquiry into the case, a fast-track court and the formation of a committee for the implementation of the Central Protection Act in all hospitals.
FORDA India president Dr Aviral Mathur urged everyone to condemn the incident and said that emergency services will operate for the convenience of patients.
“Everyone should condemn this incident. We will call off the strike when our demands are addressed, as we don’t want the patients to suffer. Emergency services are going on for the convenience of patients. Our organisation is constantly in touch with the ministry. We have full faith that our demands will be fulfilled,” Dr Mathur said.
Given the proposed indefinite strike by FORDA, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi issued an order directing all HoDs to submit an action plan for their respective departments so that patient care services are minimally disrupted.
A post-graduate trainee doctor was found raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. The death has led to widespread outrage and protests by doctors.
Kolkata police have summoned three junior doctors and one house staff member who were on duty on the night of the incident.
