Can’t Believe Me, Don’t Expect Anything From Me: Kolkata Hospital's New Principal Loses Cool

After an unidentified mob vandalized RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, newly appointed principal Suhrita Pal lost her cool, urging people to trust her in the wake of mounting pressure from protesting doctors and students.

Doctors demanded immediate action from Suhrita Pal regarding the midnight attack and pushed for the fulfillment of their demands. Addressing the crowd, she stated, "If you can't trust me for one hour, then send me home too. I need one hour to do some official work. You need to believe me. I won't go. If you can't believe me, don't expect anything from me."

The tensions have escalated since the tragic death of a post-graduate trainee doctor on August 9, who was found dead in the seminar hall of the hospital. The victim's family has alleged she was raped and murdered, igniting nationwide protests from medical professionals.

Earlier, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) condemned the violence, stating that such unchecked vandalism reflected a breakdown in law and order. The IMA also criticized the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government, holding it responsible for the deteriorating situation.

"Subsequent to the brutal crime in R G Kar Medical College, Kolkata, and the hooliganism unleashed on the protesting students on the eve of Independence Day (Wednesday night), the Indian Medical Association declares nationwide withdrawal of services by doctors of modern medicine from 6 am on Saturday 17.08.2024 to 6 am Sunday 18.08.2024 for 24 hours," the statement said.

The Kolkata Police, however, clarified that despite the vandalism, the crime scene connected to the brutal rape and murder had not been compromised. The mob, which stormed the hospital campus on the night of August 14, vandalized protest sites and attacked public property, forcing security officials to intervene and disperse the crowd.