Sr. Doctor protesting RG Kar case demoted, transferred; BJP calls it "political vendetta"

Political tensions have escalated over the transfer of senior doctor Subarna Goswami, who was vocal about the rape and murder case at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. BJP leader Dilip Ghosh on Saturday accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of trying to suppress those fighting for justice in this case. He claimed that the government is using intimidation tactics to end the movement, but the BJP will not remain silent. He further stated that the party will continue its campaign on this issue and will fight until the government is removed from power.

According to a notification from the state health department, Dr. Subarna Goswami, who was serving as Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH)-II in Purba Bardhaman, has been transferred to the post of Superintendent at a TB hospital in Darjeeling. This new position is a rank lower than her current one. This move has sparked protests, with many considering it an act of retaliation.

BJP leader Dilip Ghosh stated, “Those leading the movement are being targeted. Dr. Subarna Goswami openly raised her voice in this case, which is why she is now being singled out. This government is using transfers as a tool to suppress dissent, but it cannot crush this movement.” He further added, “Now that this movement has regained momentum, the government is trying to remove those at the forefront. But transferring individuals will not suppress the movement. The entire society is standing against the TMC government in the Abhaya case, and we will continue our campaign until this government is overthrown.”

Reacting to her transfer, Dr. Subarna Goswami said that as a government employee, she has to follow the order, but it is clear that this is an act of revenge. She stated, “I have been sent to a hospital where there is barely any workload, as very few patients are admitted there. My new position is a rank lower than my current one. This is my eighth transfer under the current government, five of which were at the same rank.” However, she made it clear that this decision will not put an end to her struggle. “My fight will continue. I am not alone; others associated with this movement are also being targeted. When the protests were at their peak, the police summoned me for questioning, but I was not afraid then, and I will not be afraid now,” she asserted.

It is noteworthy that during the protests over the R.G. Kar case, the Kolkata Police had summoned Dr. Subarna Goswami and senior doctor Kunal Sarkar to the police headquarters for questioning. At that time, the then-Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal had interrogated them. Now, as voices rise once again over this case, the government is facing backlash over the transfer of doctors.