New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India requested protesting doctors across the country to resume work saying that their concerns are receiving the attention of the highest court of the country and is of national importance. The 3 judge bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra remarked that “Since the Supreme Court of India is seized of the matter on safety, security and well being of medical professionals, we request the doctors to resume work at the earliest as absentation from work by doctors affects the most vulnerable section of the society. Doctors must be assured that their issues are receiving the highest attention.”
The court also directed the West Bengal government not to take violent action against protestors saying “let not the power of West Bengal state be unleased on peaceful protestors.”
The court has also directed the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to take over the security of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital after apprehension of violence against doctors of the medical college was expressed by a voluntary forum of doctors in West Bengal.
Earlier during the hearing a doctors association informed the court that after the incident of vandalism at the hospital on the intervening night of August 14 and 15, not only violence was perpetrated at the hospital emergency room, but threats have also been issued to female and male doctors of the medical college and hospital. It was told to the court that of the 700 doctors working at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital just 30 to 40 female doctors are now left in the hostel and rest of the doctors fearing for their safety have gone home.
The court after hearing the doctors association said, “It is essential to create safe condition for doctors to pursue their medical education and duties. The court has been assured that CISF shall be deputed to guard the RG Kar Medical College including hostels.