New Delhi: Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) is facing criticism after issuing an advisory to female doctors and staff, urging them to avoid roaming alone at night. The advisory, prompted by a recent tragic incident at R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata, has sparked outrage among students and staff who believe the focus should be on improving campus security rather than restricting their movements.Controversial advisory sparks debateThe advisory, signed by Dr. Bhaskar Gupta, the Principal and Chief Superintendent of SMCH, was intended to enhance the safety of female members of the institution. It advised female doctors, students, and staff to avoid isolated, poorly lit areas at night and refrain from leaving their hostels or lodging rooms after dark unless absolutely necessary. Dr. Gupta emphasized the importance of remaining cautious and avoiding suspicious individuals, while also urging compliance with hostel norms and regulations.Female doctors, students, and staff should, as much as possible, avoid situations where they are alone. Refrain from leaving hostel or lodging rooms during night hours unless absolutely necessary, with prior information to the concerned authority, Dr. Gupta wrote in the advisory.Students demand security, not restrictionsThe advisory has not been well-received by the SMCH community. Students and staff argue that instead of advising them to stay indoors, the authorities should focus on strengthening campus security. A female doctor, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed her frustration, saying, We face eve-teasing and vulgar comments from male staff and attendants often. Weve raised these issues multiple times, but nothing has changed. Now, instead of providing proper security, theyre telling us to stay in our rooms. Were hurt and ashamed by this response.The Junior Doctors Association (JDS) at SMCH also condemned the advisory, describing the language used as disturbing. JDS President Salman Choudhary stated, We respect their concern, but this is not the solution. Weve been highlighting security issues on campus for a long time, but they were never addressed. Wed request the authorities to improve security arrangements instead.Community outrage and protestsIn solidarity with the victim of the R G Kar incident, students at SMCH staged a protest on Monday, lighting candles in memory of the deceased doctor. The advisory, intended to prevent similar tragedies, has instead ignited a debate over the responsibilities of educational institutions in ensuring the safety of their members.
