New Principal Of Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital Dismissed: What Happened?

Suhrita Paul, the new principal of RG Kar Medical College, was removed from her position after a series of student protests.

The newly appointed principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Suhrita Paul, has been removed from her position.This decision followed a meeting between a delegation of students and officials at Swasthya Bhavan.

The medical students had marched from the CGO Complex (CBI office) to Swasthya Bhavan, demanding the removal of the new principal, as reported by NDTV.

Photo Credit: PTI

Student Protests and Government Response

Her transfer is perceived as a concession by the government, which had appointed her on August 12. On the same day, Sandip Ghosh was transferred from RG Kar to Calcutta's National Medical College. This move faced severe backlash, including criticism from the Calcutta High Court and increased student protests that reached the Supreme Court's attention, as reported by NDTV.

Like Sandip Ghosh at National Medical College, Suhrita Paul did not gain acceptance among the protesting students. Just three days after her appointment, she had a confrontation with them. Following an incident of vandalism at the hospital on August 15, tensions escalated further.

Midnight Vandalism In Kolkata

After the midnight vandalism at the hospital on August 15, Suhrita Paul lost her temper with the students. The protesting doctors demanded immediate action regarding the mob attack and that their demands be met. Ms Paul responded sharply, "If you can't trust me for one hour then send me home also."

The reference was to her predecessor Sandip Ghosh's fate, who was sent on long leave by the Calcutta High Court after his controversial new posting less than 12 hours post-resignation, as per media reports. This incident highlighted ongoing tensions between administration changes and student expectations.

"I need one hour to do some official work. You need to believe me; I won't go. You have to believe me. If you can't believe me then don't expect anything from me," Suhrita Paul had said during her confrontation with students. The government's decision to remove Suhrita Paul underscores its response to student protests and judicial scrutiny over recent administrative changes in medical colleges.