SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Oct 12: The Jharkhand chapter of the Medical Students Network (MSN) — the representative body of MBBS students from all nine medical colleges in the state — has strongly condemned the alleged gang rape of a second-year MBBS student at Durgapur Medical College, West Bengal, and demanded stringent action against the accused.
MSN Expresses Solidarity with Durgapur and Odisha Doctors
MSN Jharkhand president Dr Sidhant Arjun and national co-convener Dr Aman Singh on Sunday expressed deep anguish and outrage over the incident. They assured full support to the Durgapur Medical College students’ body and the Odisha Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA) in their demand for justice.
According to reports, a second-year MBBS student of Durgapur Medical College and Hospital — a resident of Odisha — was allegedly gang raped by four individuals on the evening of October 10 after leaving the campus with another student. A police FIR has been registered, and investigations are underway.
Statewide Discussion on Next Steps
Dr Sidhant Arjun said that he would hold discussions with state committee members and representatives from all nine medical colleges on Sunday evening to chalk out a course of action in solidarity with the agitating Durgapur students and Odisha JDA members.
MSN’s national co-convener Dr Aman Singh, based in Ranchi, said he was awaiting directives from the IMA MSN national body in New Delhi. “Once directions for agitation are received, appropriate steps will be taken. Both the Odisha JDA and Durgapur Medical College MSN are in constant touch with us,” he said.
Warning of Nationwide Agitation
Calling the incident a heinous crime, Dr Singh warned that if a fair and transparent investigation is not conducted and the accused are not given severe punishment, MSN Jharkhand would join the protest alongside the Durgapur and Odisha bodies — as it did during the RG Kar Medical College incident in Kolkata earlier this year.
All Eyes on Jharkhand’s Medical Students
Following the RG Kar protest, the Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA) of RIMS Ranchi had played a leading role in the nationwide agitation. With tensions rising again, all eyes are now on the junior doctors and MBBS students of Jharkhand, who are being urged to extend their support.
An MSN state committee official confirmed that conveners of all nine medical college units have been informed about the Durgapur incident and will join deliberations on the next course of action.
