After backlash, Assam medical college withdraws advisory asking women to ‘not attract unnecessary attention’

The advisory, “with special emphasis” on its women members, was issued on Monday by the principal-cum-chief superintendent of the government-run institute. It states that it has been issued because of the incident at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, to “enhance the safety and security of our female doctors, students and all healthcare workers”.

It advises its women members to “generally avoid” poorly lit, isolated and sparsely populated areas and to avoid situations where they are alone. It goes on to advise them to avoid leaving the campus late and to “abide by the hostel norms and regulations”.

“While on duty you should be well composed emotionally, remain alert about the surroundings and should graciously interact with the public so that you don’t attract unnecessary attention of unscrupulous people,” it states.

The Junior Doctors Association of the institute said the advisory “fails to address the key issues pertaining to SMCH” and “targets the female doctors especially”.

In a statement, the association raised actionable demands from the institute administration towards enhancing the safety of women members. These include ensuring that all hospital areas have functioning lighting; round-the-clock security in the hospital and hostel areas; “proper washroom with running water facilities for doctors inaccessible by other staff, attendants and patients”; and more CCTV cameras at points such as the main gate, emergency ward, and hostel areas.

The rape and murder of the junior woman doctor in Kolkata has led to protests across the country, particularly among the medical community. The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the incident.