Leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab, including several doctors-turned-politicians, visited hospitals across the state on Sunday to express solidarity with the medical fraternity protesting the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at a state-run hospital in Kolkata.
The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with doctors and medical students demanding justice and enhanced security measures for healthcare workers.
Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh led the charge by visiting Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, where he met with doctors and medical students.
Singh, who has a background in medicine, expressed deep empathy with the victim’s family and extended his support to the protesting doctors.
“As a doctor myself, I understand the pain and trauma caused by this horrific incident. The Punjab government stands firmly with the medical community, and we demand that the perpetrator of this heinous crime be brought to justice swiftly,” Singh said in Patiala.
He further called upon the Central government to enact a stringent law to protect female doctors and healthcare workers, a proposal initially made by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in 2019.
Singh criticised the Union government for delaying the passage of this law, which mandates a minimum of six years imprisonment for sexual violence against female medical professionals.
“Doctors cannot perform their duties effectively in an atmosphere of fear. It is imperative that the Union government address this issue with urgency by enacting the necessary legislation,” Singh added.
In Amritsar, AAP MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar met with doctors and security personnel at Amritsar Medical College. He emphasized the importance of creating a safe working environment for female doctors and assured that the Punjab government is taking concrete steps to enhance security at medical institutions.
Punjab Minister Baljit Kaur visited GGS Medical Hospital in Faridkot, where she interacted with both doctors and hospital security staff. Kaur stressed that ensuring the safety of female doctors is a key responsibility of the state government and vowed that necessary security measures would be implemented in hospitals as required.
“The Punjab government remains committed to supporting doctors and medical students in this time of crisis,” Kaur stated.
AAP MP Rajkumar Chabbewal, during his visit to the Government Hospital in Hoshiarpur, held discussions focused on hospital security. He echoed the sentiments of his colleagues, reiterating the party’s demand for stronger legal protections for female medical professionals.
The tragic incident in Kolkata, which occurred on August 9, has led to widespread protests across the country. The victim, a postgraduate trainee doctor, was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at a state-run medical college and hospital.
A civic volunteer was arrested in connection with the crime, but the Calcutta High Court has since ordered the transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
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