I set out on this road as an MBBS student with hopes of changing the world, saving lives,
and improving society. Attending medical college is a demanding experience that involves
tedious working hours, mental strain, and great academic pressure. However, nothing can
ever fully prepare you for the instant your sense of security is violently destroyed. Our entire medical fraternity is in complete shock at the recent rape incidence that involved a resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital.
This horrible deed serves as a sobering reminder that no place is a safe refuge for women,
not even hospitals, which are supposed to be places of healing. It highlights the weaknesses we have as individuals, not only as professionals and students. As a fellow student, this
incident hits too close to home.
The Incident:
A young resident doctor, following the path to her dreams, was viciously attacked. The
incident’s specifics are terrifying. While she was on duty, she was attacked inside the
hospital where she devoted her life to saving lives. A person withholding such healing
powers was scarred to death.
This is not just a case of sexual offence but a betrayal of our faith in the systems designed to protect us . Hospitals are supposed to be safe places, particularly for doctors who are often overworked and weary. The trauma of this crime is increased by the fact that it took place in a therapeutic environment.
The Effect on Us:
There’s no doubt that this incident had a nerve racking impact on all the citizens of India, but as future doctors we were painfully made to realise about the pathetic condition of security measures for healthcare professionals. Given the circumstances around our personal safety,
how are we to concentrate on saving lives?
The Culture of Silence:
The culture of silence surrounding such crimes is one of the most concerning parts of this
tragedy. Forget concerning, it’s a highly shameful practice to motivate the victim and any
witness to remain silent just for the sake of social standing. In order to preserve the
institution’s reputation, harassment and assault allegations are frequently ignored in
educational institutions. The whole case gets modulated and deceitfully all the blame is put
on the victim: “she must have worn something provoking”, “she must have given wrong
signs, or as in this case, “she must have given her own life”. If the medical college in
question was so innocent then what was the need to destroy all the evidence. Being resilient is something we are taught as students, but it shouldn’t include tolerating abuse in silence.
And I don’t understand what’s wrong with those people who attacked protesting doctors.
Can’t we even fight for our justice? Is this the democracy we live in?
A call for change:
When it comes to medical colleges, MBBS students frequently find themselves at the bottom
of the hierarchy. This is the time, though, we need to speak up. This incident should not
meet the faith of being forgotten. It must be remembered as something bigger than a mere
news headline. I hope it pulls the reins towards the start of a remarkable journey; a journey
aiming to provide better security and assistance to medical practitioners and women in
general.
We must battle for our right to feel protected, for the right of any woman to safely walk
around at night. There won’t be any stopping until there are proper repercussions, until
justice is served.
