Renu Bhatia resignation: Haryana Women Commission chief quits amid Kurukshetra nurses protest

Haryana Women Commission chief Renu Bhatia has submitted her resignation to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini amid a nurses protest in Kurukshetra seeking an apology over her remarks. Bhatia visited the civil hospital after a consultant doctor was arrested in a sexual assault case. She says the resignation is for family reasons.

Haryana State Commission for Women chairperson Renu Bhatia resigned on Tuesday. The resignation followed protests by government nurses in Haryana. The nurses demanded an apology over Bhatia’s remarks in Kurukshetra. The dispute began after Bhatia visited a civil hospital linked to a sexual assault case.

Bhatia sent the resignation letter to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday. Bhatia had led the panel for more than four years. In the Hindi letter, Bhatia said: "I am currently resigning from this post. So, please accept my resignation,\" and added that Bhatia would continue working for women’s rights.

Haryana Women Commission resignation and Bhatia’s explanation

When contacted, Bhatia said the decision was due to family reasons. Bhatia said the move should not be tied to the nurses’ demand. Bhatia said: \"I am going to Japan for 20 days, and then I am going to meet my daughter in the US, and I will be out for three months. As one generally gets 10-15 days of leave and I will be out for a longer duration, I said, Take my resignation,\"

Bhatia also rejected calls to apologise for the Kurukshetra remarks. Bhatia said: \"I said nothing wrong,\" Bhatia had visited Kurukshetra after a 62-year-old consultant doctor at the civil hospital was booked. The doctor was arrested over the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl.

Haryana Women Commission row and nurses’ protest in Kurukshetra

Government nurses in Haryana have been protesting over the incident. On Monday, nursing staff at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Civil Hospital in Kurukshetra held a two-hour pen-down strike. A protesting nurse said: \"Whatever happened was very unfortunate, but Bhatia blamed the nursing staff for negligence and accused some nursing staff of possible collusion in the case.\"

The nurses said blame should not be fixed without an investigation. On Tuesday, nursing organisations again sought strict action against Bhatia. The All India Government Nurses Federation AIGNF wrote to Saini. It asked for Bhatia’s immediate removal and an FIR against Bhatia.

Nursing Officers Welfare Association Haryana president Anita Bangar said the group lodged a strong protest. Earlier, the Haryana State Commission for Women took suo motu cognisance of the alleged assault. The panel sought an action taken report from authorities. After an FIR was filed, the Haryana government terminated the accused doctor immediately.

Kurukshetra police case details under POCSO Act

Kurukshetra police said a local filed a complaint on May 31. The complaint said the local and the daughter visited LNJP Hospital on May 29. The complaint alleged the daughter was sexually assaulted at the hospital. It also alleged the accused doctor admitted the father and daughter to separate wards.

Police said the father visited the daughter’s ward on May 31. The girl then told the father about the alleged assault on May 29. Based on the complaint, police registered a case under Sections 6 and 10. These sections are under the POCSO Act, 2012, and further investigation followed.

During the probe, police recorded the minor’s statement before a magistrate. A medical examination was also carried out as part of the case. The developments at the hospital led to wider scrutiny. They also triggered the nurses’ protest and Bhatia’s resignation process.

With inputs from PTI