Assam's Silchar Medical College & Hospital advised female doctors, students and all healthcare workers to "avoid isolated, poorly lit and sparsely populated areas" in the campus.
Amid nationwide outrage over the doctor rape and murder case of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital of West Bengal's Kolkata, an advisory dated August 12 issued by Assam's Silchar Medical College & Hospital advised female doctors, students and all healthcare workers to "avoid isolated, poorly lit and sparsely populated areas" in the campus.
The advisory - that said female doctors, students, and staff "should, as much as possible, avoid situations where they are alone" - was withdrawn by the SMCH authorities after it drew strong criticism, with many on social media saying it was of "blamed the victims" nature.
Be cautious and avoid associating with individuals who appear unknown or are suspicious in nature, the SMCH advisory added.
The SMCH administration said in the circular that the advisory has been issued in view of the recent "tragic and reprehensible" incident of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College.
The body of a woman doctor was found in a seminar hall at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital of West Bengal's Kolkata on Friday morning, and a civic volunteer was arrested on Saturday in connection with the crime.
The case sparked massive outrage and also led to protests by doctors and health workers across states in the country, hitting services of out-patient departments (OPDs).
The SMCH administration said it "finds necessary to issue the following advisory to enhance the safety and security of our female doctors, students and all healthcare workers."
1. Female doctors, students, and staff should generally avoid isolated, poorly lit and sparsely populated areas.
2. Female doctors, students, and staff should, as much as possible, avoid situations where they are alone.
3. Refrain from leaving hostel or lodging rooms during night hours unless absolutely necessary, with prior information to the concerned authority.
4. Avoid going off campus during late or odd hours. All Hostel borders should abide by the hostel norms & regulations laid by the institute and administration.
5. Be cautious and avoid associating with individuals who appear unknown or are suspicious in nature.
6. Always ensure you have a means of making emergency contact in case of urgent situations
7. While on duty you should be well composed emotionally, remain alert about the surroundings and should graciously interact with the public, so that you don't attract unnecessary attention of unscrupulous people.
8. Any issues/grievances should be immediately, communicated to the Chairmen/Members of the Gender Harassment committee, Disciplinary committee, Internal complaint committee, Anti Ragging
"This is issued in the greater interest of doctors, students and staff members of Silchar Medical College and Hospital, with special emphasis on female members," the SMCH said.
Social media users slammed the advisory, saying it tells women what to do and what not to do instead of safeguarding them. "I am stunned after reading this , Instead of strictly Increasing security for Doctors in their medical college & Hospital SMCH ,Silchar has put a notice for Female doctors and staff of their college stating “what they should Do , where they should go and not” “Instead of safeguarding their doctors they are safeguarding themselves in case any such incidence ever happen in future” ! “Can any female doctor feel safe even at their own workplace reading such notices?” one user said.
Another user asked "when are we going to instill this fear in men that if they can’t keep it in their pants they will have to suffer the consequences that can ruin their lives".
"All these years women were told to do everything to protect themselves and nothing worked, high time these men are taught some lesson!" the user said.
Blame the victim, don’t blame the rapist. Wow hats off to Government of Assam and administration of Silchar Medical College. Instead of increasing security they are issuing guidelines for the females doctors and medical students. Rapist to rape karega hi, tum apni body leke bahar mat ghumo. Capital punishment should be there for every rapist. Every rapist should be hanged till death. As a society what have we become?