In a shocking display of violence, a female doctor at the Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay Government Medical College and Hospital in Uluberia, West Bengal, was reportedly assaulted and threatened with rape by the relatives of a patient on Monday. The incident led to the immediate filing of a police report by the victim, culminating in the arrest of three men: Sheikh Samrat, Sheikh Babulal, and Sheikh Hasibul.
This harrowing event has re-ignited anxieties surrounding the safety of healthcare providers in West Bengal, particularly in the wake of a similar high-profile case from the previous year. The Joint Forum of Doctors has been vocal about their concerns, advocating for improved security measures within hospitals. The incident has also become a focal point for political contention, with the BJP leveling strong accusations against the Trinamool Congress government. Opposition figures have highlighted the attack as a critical failure in public safety and women’s security, citing a lack of adequate surveillance and a perceived permissive environment for such offenses.
Government spokespersons have decried the attack as reprehensible and pointed to the prompt action taken by law enforcement. Simultaneously, they have countered the BJP’s criticisms by questioning the opposition’s motives and past actions. The situation in Uluberia underscores the ongoing struggle to balance patient care with the imperative of safeguarding medical staff in public hospitals.