In a dramatic turn of events, the West Bengal government removed Suhrita Paul, the newly appointed principal of RG Kar Medical College, just days after her appointment. This decision followed mounting pressure from protesting medical students, who were outraged by the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor on the hospital premises earlier this month. Paul’s dismissal, along with the transfer of three other senior officials, reflects the deep-rooted tensions and unrest within the institution.
The Appointment of Suhrita Paul
Suhrita Paul’s brief tenure as principal began on August 13, following the resignation of her predecessor, Sandip Ghosh. Ghosh had stepped down amid intense public outrage and student protests after the brutal incident at RG Kar Hospital. He cited “moral responsibility” and claimed a “political conspiracy” against him, alleging that he was being defamed on social media in the wake of the tragedy. In a swift response, the West Bengal government appointed Paul, who was serving as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at the Health and Family Welfare Department, to take over as principal.
However, Ghosh’s resignation and subsequent transfer to Calcutta’s National Medical College only fueled the anger among the students, who saw it as an inadequate response to their demands. Paul’s appointment did little to quell the unrest, and tensions continued to escalate on the campus.
Escalating Tensions and Paul’s Struggles
The situation at RG Kar Medical College reached a critical point on August 15, when a mob vandalized the hospital campus, attacking the protest site and damaging public property. The midnight chaos led to a heated confrontation between Paul and the protesting students, who were demanding immediate action in response to the incident.
During the confrontation, Paul’s frustration was evident as she struggled to assert control. “If you can’t trust me for one hour then send me home also,” she retorted, drawing parallels to her predecessor Ghosh. Despite her attempts to convince the students to trust her, Paul faced the same challenges as Ghosh in gaining their confidence. Her efforts to restore order were met with skepticism and resistance, as the students remained unconvinced of her ability to address their concerns.
The Final Straw: Paul’s Absence
The situation reached a breaking point on Wednesday, when medical students marched from the CGO Complex (CBI office) to Swasthya Bhavan, demanding Paul’s removal. The protest was fueled by reports that Paul had only visited the campus once since her appointment and had been working from the West Bengal Health Department (Swasthya Bhavan) instead of being present at the college. Her absence, particularly after the August 15 vandalism, drew sharp criticism from the students, who felt abandoned by their supposed guardian.
Government Response and Aftermath
In response to the students’ demands, Principal Secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam and other top Health Department officials met with the protestors at Swasthya Bhavan. After hearing their concerns, Nigam accepted their demands, emphasizing the need to restore normalcy and regularize healthcare services. He also announced enhanced security arrangements at the hospital.
Following these developments, the West Bengal government decided to transfer Paul to Barasat Medical College and appointed Manas Kumar Bandhopadhyay as the new principal of RG Kar Medical College. Along with Paul, the newly appointed medical superintendent and vice-principal, Bulbul Mukhopadhyay, and the head of RG Kar’s Chest Medicine Department, Dr. Arunabha Datta Chaudhuri, were also transferred. Dr. Saptarshi Chatterjee was named the new vice-principal, while Mukhopadhyay and Chaudhuri were reassigned to other positions within the medical college.
This swift reshuffling of leadership at RG Kar Medical College underscores the deep challenges facing the institution and the urgent need for effective and trusted leadership in times of crisis.
(With inputs from agencies)
