SUBHASH MISHRA
Ranchi, Jan 27: The management of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, has lifted the ban on celebrating the traditional Saraswati Puja on campus following protests by the Junior Doctors Association (JDA).
The controversy began on January 25, when the RIMS management announced a ban on Saraswati Puja celebrations after a brutal attack on a second-year MBBS student in Tiril Basti on the night of January 24. The decision sparked resentment among students and junior doctors.
In response, JDA President Dr. Ankit Kumar, Executive President Dr. Abhishek Laguri, Vice President Dr. Abhishek Hansdak, Secretary Dr. Om Prakash, Patron Dr. Jaideep Kumar Choudhary, and other office bearers convened an emergency meeting on January 26. They decided to protest what they called the management’s arbitrary decision.
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Before escalating the protest, Dr. Ankit Kumar and IMA Junior Doctors Network (JDN) State President Dr. Vikash Kumar appealed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari to intervene and have the ban revoked.
Health Minister’s intervention
Following their appeal, the Chief Minister and Health Minister directed the RIMS management to lift the ban.
“The RIMS family expresses gratitude to Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari for intervening and ensuring the ban on Saraswati Puja was lifted. We also thank IMA JDN President Dr. Vikash Kumar for guiding us in our protest,” said JDA President Dr. Ankit Kumar.
The JDA and RIMS MBBS students criticized the management for imposing the ban and other restrictions, such as prohibiting bike parking at Hostel No. 8, instead of supporting the injured student.
“Strangely, the RIMS management banned bike parking at the hostel without providing alternative arrangements,” remarked a JDA office bearer.
The attack that led to the controversy involved Dr. Ravish Chandra Suman, a second-year MBBS student, who was brutally assaulted by anti-social elements at a restaurant in Tiril Basti during a birthday celebration.
The JDA has demanded a thorough investigation into the incident and the arrest of those responsible.
