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How safe are doctors in their workplace: RG Kar Medical College incident is a reminder of these horrific cases in recent times

Rukma Rathore
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How safe are doctors in their workplace: RG Kar Medical College incident is a reminder of these horrific cases in recent times

The country has been shocked by the gruesome rape and murder of a 32-year-old trainee doctor inside RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal. A civic volunteer Sanjay Roy was arrested in connection with the case. Doctors from several hospitals across India have announced an indefinite strike to protest against the incident. Hospital elective services will cease nationwide beginning 12th August, according to a statement released by the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association of India (FORDA). The protesters are also demanding adequate security for all medical staff.

The RG Kar Medical College Resident Doctors Association (RDA) declared they will only end the protests when their demands are fulfilled. A doctor at the hospital conveyed, “We have released a set of four demands: judicial probe, written apology from hospital authorities, compensation for the woman’s family, police must publish the progress of the probe regularly.” The institution spanning 26 acres in Kolkata is one of West Bengal’s largest medical institutions.

Meanwhile, the protestors asserted that the hospital’s lack of CCTV coverage in sensitive locations, tout rackets, lack of restrooms for on-call doctors and no screening for outsiders entering at night create a perilous atmosphere for the staff.

The demonstrators accused that there is no CCTV in the lecture room of the “emergency” facility where the doctor’s body was discovered. They revealed that there are no CCTVs in the floor wards or the corridor. Subhendu Mullick, a senior resident physician at NRS Hospital who was employed at RG Kar till recently mentioned, “Only the main gate of the building has CCTV. Most CCTVs you see are non-functional. There is no quick response team.”

The victim was forced to use the seminar room as a rest space because there isn’t one designated for female doctors, according to junior doctors at RG Kar. There is no washroom in the seminar room. “This hospital deals with a high influx of trauma patients. The doctor-to-patient ratio is very low. We lack support. If someone abuses us, there’s no one to turn to. There is no proper washroom or place to even change clothes,” A medical intern discussed the difficulties she encountered while on duty. A doctor informed, “On night duty we mostly use either the seminar room or sonography room.”

The “biggest problem,” per one doctor is “unauthorised entry.” He voiced, “Often, one patient comes with 11-12 relatives. Only people with ID cards should be allowed inside the ward. Look at Woodburn Ward of SSKM, where VIPs and politicians stay. They have strict regulations against unauthorised entry.” Additionally, doctors reported that there is no security monitoring outside the hospital at night. A female housekeeping worker unveiled, “As many as 15-20 people barge in the emergency with one patient. We come across drunk people in the emergency section as well.”

Several contract employees work at the hospital, noted a doctor who has joined the agitation while a postgraduate student at RG Kar added, “Many of them are involved in tout rackets at the hospital. Authorities have little control. They have access in every ward.” Doctors insisted that the hospital should have a sufficient police presence. “There is no security at all at night on the floor,” disclosed Dr Nihal Saha.

The hospital has its own private security in addition to the police stationed at the entrance. “Junior physicians, however, contended that private security disappears after 9 pm. The huge size of the hospital makes it unsafe for female employees to walk through dimly lit areas after night shifts. The property has multiple dark, lonely spots. “You cannot walk around at night. We all know it’s not safe,” highlighted a junior doctor. Protesters have demanded that female police officers be placed strategically throughout the premises.

Doctors on duty attacked, assaulted by relatives of patients

It is pertinent to note that doctors have been facing attacks in different parts of India which have consistently endangered their lives and safety. This year in March in Kerala, Joseph Chacko from Thiruvananthapuram attacked a female Ayurvedic doctor in her clinic and stole her thali chain. He walked inside the consulting room and asked for a tablet. She told him it wasn’t in stock after which he proceeded to physically and verbally assault her. Afterwards, the police filed a case against him, which prompted him to approach the high court for pre-arrest bail. Additionally, the doctor submitted a petition seeking that a higher-ranking police officer, ideally an IPS officer, be given charge of the inquiry.

The high court observed that attacks on medical personnel have not been reduced even after changes to the Kerala Healthcare Service Persons and Healthcare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act. This observation was made by Justice A Badharudeen at the dismissal of Joseph Chacko’s pre-arrest bail plea. The court added that it has become a norm to abuse, assault and manhandle doctors and hospital employees for trivial reasons.

A visitor, who was intoxicated, cut a 31-year-old doctor’s throat with a knife after a heated brawl at Puducherry’s Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and Postgraduate Institute in April of 2024. According to the police, R Vinoth (39) of Boomiyanpet, went to see his 17-year-old who was receiving treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) following a road accident that left him with critical injuries. He assaulted his wife and sister, who were attending to the patient after they confronted him about coming to the hospital while inebriated.

Dr Naveen Kumar of Tirupattur intervened and observed that the man was drunk and instructed him to leave the intensive care unit right away, which sparked a heated argument between the two. The man went outside, succeeded in getting a knife and waited for the doctor. He then sliced his throat as he exited the hospital. The doctor was saved and taken to the intensive care unit by hospital employees, patients and their companions. They subdued the man and turned him over to the hospital police checkpoint. Afterwards, the individual was handed over to the police in Grand Bazaar.

In July of this year, 200 to 300 junior doctors affiliated with Siddhartha Medical College’s Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (APJUDA) initiated an indefinite strike in response to a reported attack on a junior doctor by the family of a patient who died in the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU). The 54-year-old male was brought to the casualty department of the Siddhartha Medical College-affiliated Vijayawada Government General Hospital (GGH). He had consumed an unidentified amount of glyphosate ammonium poison and had earlier received treatment at a private hospital. Afterwards, he was referred to GGH by the private hospital’s medical staff.

The victim, an on-duty casualty department doctor, checked his vitals and determined that he was seriously ill. The doctor told the patient’s relatives to take him to the intensive care unit (ICU) because of his critical condition. Despite his best efforts to save him, the patient tragically passed away from cardiac arrest within an hour of being admitted to the intensive care unit.

“When the doctor approached the patient’s family members to inform them about the incident, the relatives attacked the duty doctor. They blamed the doctor for inadequate treatment and assaulted him both verbally and physically. He was pushed and grabbed by his collar by the attackers,” revealed President of APJUDA-SMC wing Dr Dharmakar Pujari. After the assault, the APJUDA launched a strike in support of the junior doctor, demanding the arrest of the accused and urging the state administration to take measures to control attacks on doctors.

Kerala: Doctor stabbed to death by criminal who was in police custody

Dr Vandana Das, a 25-year-old house surgeon at Kottarakkara taluk hospital in Kerala’s Kollam was stabbed to death with surgical scissors and a scalpel by her 42-year-old patient Sandeep when she was dressing him, in May 2023. He was brought to the hospital by police for treatment of his injured legs and hands. He taught upper elementary school and had a history of substance abuse and alcoholism. The witnesses stated that he used a scalpel to injure police officers and a relative before targeting the doctor, however, the First Information Report alleged that he stabbed the doctor first.

She was brought to a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram but unfortunately succumbed to her injuries. A special bench of Justices Devan Ramachandran and Kauser Edappagath of Kerala High Court also slammed the state government for its inability to protect the doctors. “It is a complete failure of the system. Having an aid post in a hospital is not enough. When you (police) knew the man was acting abnormally, you should have restrained him. You should be able to anticipate the unanticipated. Else there is no need for the police. Over time, we have become casual, Did you not fail this girl,” the court questioned. The bench emphasized that it had previously cautioned on multiple occasions that such an occurrence would happen if nothing was done.

26-year-old Dr Rahul Kanela, working in the orthopaedic department of Safdarjung Hospital was injured after he was attacked with a screwdriver by a patient when he was on duty in the emergency room in September of the same year. The latter yelled, “I will kill you,” while launching the savage assault which left the doctor with wounds to his neck and abdomen. “I also sustained injuries on two of my right-hand fingers during this incident,” the doctor mentioned in his complaint.

The patient became angry, according to the police, when the doctor asked him to seek a nurse’s assistance to remove a cannula from his arm as the latter was in the middle of work. The accused then abused the doctor and took out the screwdriver from his pocket to attack him. The doctor’s colleagues intervened immediately to prevent additional harm from the patient, who had been subdued by the security guards and turned over to the police. He was charged with assault on a public servant and attempted to murder while voluntarily causing obstruction in performing the official duty.

Rajasthan: Gynaecologist commits suicide after death of a pregnant woman due to complications

Dr. Archana Sharma was a gynaecologist employed by a private hospital in Lalsot, Dausa district in Rajasthan. The demise of a pregnant woman at the hospital led to the filing of a formal complaint against her under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code after which she hanged herself to death. The occurrence took place in March 2022, during the Congress government. She pleaded with people to stop harassing her husband, kids and innocent doctors in her suicide note which read, “I love my husband and children a lot. Please do not harass them after my death. I did not commit any mistake and did not kill anyone. PPH (Postpartum haemorrhage) is a known complication. Stop harassing doctors so much for this. My death may prove my innocence. Don’t harass innocent doctors. Please. Love you. Don’t let my kids feel the absence of their mother.”

Doctors in the state organised a protest and healthcare services at private hospitals remained closed. Doctors from all different medical associations came together at the Jaipur Medical Association to publicly and unanimously demand that the guilty parties in this case be charged with aiding and abetting suicide. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi also witnessed a demonstration against the occurrence by resident doctors.

2021: Relatives of 75 year old Mohammad Shahid brutally assault a doctor in NRS Medical College, Kolkala

After the death of 75-year-old Mohammed Shahid, a resident of Tangra, who passed away at the NRS Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata in June 2021, an intern doctor suffered a skull fracture when the former’s family members arrived at the institution and started a fight with the junior doctors on duty. Around 200 people, according to doctors, ended up at the hospital and converted the grounds into a battlefield during the night and the following morning.

The deceased’s family members claimed that his death was the result of medical malpractice and added that they were not given the body on time. They were demonstrating against two younger doctors, who were hurt in the altercations. One of the two doctors, Paribaha Mukhopadhyay, had a fractured skull after a brick thrown by the violent mob struck him in the head. According to medical reports, he sustained a deep brain injury. Fortunately, he was fine after undergoing surgery for wound debridement and elevation of a frontal depressed fracture. The instance sparked an uproar among doctors and medical professionals in the city.

Kerala doctor attacked by drunken men for asking them to follow rules

A group of four individuals attacked Dr. Sanoj, who was working at the Parassala Taluk Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram in August 2021. The doctors refused to report back for duty the following morning and insisted that the attackers be taken into custody before they could resume their duties. However, the perpetrators were apprehended by the cops as a result of the demonstration. Dr Unnikrishnan, superintendent of the hospital informed, “We had to boycott the duty to put the authorities under pressure which has resulted in the arrest of the four people.”

Four passengers arrived at the hospital in a Maruti Alto automobile and one of them was with a hand injury. Since none of them were wearing masks, the hospital’s security did not permit them to enter. They then attacked him and the doctor emerged from the hospital to investigate the disturbance. He also clarified that they needed to wear masks when stepping inside the hospital and that he would not treat them if they were not ready to listen. The drunk offenders who were unwilling to pay heed to the doctor assaulted him due to which he dropped to the floor. He was the only doctor on duty in the hospital then. “This is the fourth incident of attack against the doctors happening here in the past two months. Every time the issue happens during the night duty. Now, we have asked the district collector and the district medical officer to set up a police aid post at the hospital for our security,” Dr Unnikrishnan stated.

A few days prior to this incident, Dr Sarathchandra Bose was assaulted by Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders in Kerala’s Alappuzha district. He had lodged a complaint alleging that MC Prasad, the president of Kainakari Panchayat and several other CPM leaders had assaulted him on 24th July. According to the allegation, they intervened in the vaccination procedure and assaulted him for not obeying their demand for vaccinating certain persons on priority. He complained that the cops were not taking action against the accused and protested in a novel manner by working on his off day.

Reasons behind violence against doctors

The aforementioned occurrences are only the tip of the iceberg as doctors have gradually become easy targets for criminal elements of society as well as others to vent out their anger and frustration. However, there are a lot more facets to the critical problem and India’s underfunded public health system is one of them. According to research by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), 75% of Indian doctors have experienced violence at some point in their employment while another report unveiled that 82.7% of doctors feel their job stresses them out, 62.8% responded they are afraid of violence and 46.3% think their stress is mostly caused by violence.

Issues such as inadequate staffing and resources, excessive medical expenses, and prolonged hospital stays in private facilities are cited as contributing causes to potentially violent situations. According to government statistics, the nation is home to 1.3 million allied and healthcare workers including doctors along with 3.4 million registered nurses. For India, which recently surpassed China to become the world’s most populated nation, the numbers are very low. The Indian Journal of Public Health estimated that by 2030, India will require at least 2.07 million more doctors. Other factors, such as the unequal distribution of the health workforce throughout India’s states and between rural and urban areas, deepen the imbalance. Inequalities exist between public and private healthcare facilities as well, with the former requiring consumers to cover all treatment costs out of pocket.

People also expect public hospital care to be on par with that of private hospitals in terms of quality. However, public hospitals are underfunded, congested and unable to provide excellent medical care. They get frustrated and angry due to their poor socioeconomic level and the escalating expense of their treatment, which fuels a mob mentality and a need for immediate justice. Furthermore, India ranks 152nd in the world for public health spending and invests just 1.2% of its GDP on public health. Due to a lack of funding, many hospitals are devoid of essential amenities like CCTV cameras, adequate security, and separate restrooms and rest places for female doctors.

A bad case outcome is often erroneously attributed by patients and their families to medical negligence. The general population is unaware that medicine is complicated and sometimes matters are not in the hands of doctors. Many medical illnesses have poor prognoses and treatment can sometimes produce adverse outcomes. Heavy caseloads and up to 120 hours of work per week for doctors are another contributing factor which leaves them with no time to speak with patients efficiently.

Notably, the epidemic of violence against doctors is global. According to the World Health Organization, between 8% and 38% of healthcare professionals experience physical abuse at some point in their careers. According to studies, 85% of doctors in China, 75% of doctors in India and 47% of doctors in the United States reported experiencing violence at work. Patients and their families make up the majority of attackers.

Doctors believe a federal rule that prohibits bail for violence against health professionals and facilities and that imposes harsh punishments and lengthy prison sentences will put an end to this kind of violence. In India, legislation has been passed in nineteen states to safeguard medical personnel and facilities against violence.

Violence against healthcare professionals hurts their physical and mental health as well as their motivation for their profession. Additionally, this lowers the standard of care and decreases the amount of healthcare provided, particularly to those in lower social classes. The health and well-being of the people are also negatively impacted. It also results in enormous financial losses for the health industry. It is necessary to create strategies to effectively handle aggressive patients and high-risk visitors while still ensuring security in medical institutions. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies, especially in public health institutions with constrained funding. Laws prohibiting this kind of violence might be helpful, but they are not a panacea and the issue needs to be addressed in its entirety.

‘Iski khabar lene ka waqt aagaya hai’: Cricketer Shivam Dube’s wife Anjum Khan incites Muslims against Nazia Elahi Khan

OpIndia Staff
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‘Iski khabar lene ka waqt aagaya hai’: Cricketer Shivam Dube’s wife Anjum Khan incites Muslims against Nazia Elahi Khan

On 11th August, Chennai Super Kings cricketer Shivam Dube’s wife Anjum Khan was seen inciting Muslims to take action against commentator Nazia Elahi Khan who has been vocal against radical Islam. In an Instagram story put up on Khan’s official page, she alleged that Nazia Elahi Khan made derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad.

“If you don’t get angry even if the Prophet is being insulted then your faith is dead. And, if your Imaan is not dead then write with me #arrestnaziaelahikhan [Nabi ki shaan mein gustakhi hone par bhi aapko gussa nahin aata toh aapka imaan mar chuka hai. Aur agar aapka imaan zinda hai toh repost karke mere saath likhiye #arrestnaziaelahikhan]. The featured Nazia’s picture with a “boycott” sign. It had additional text inciting violence against Nazia Elahi Khan.

“Friends, now is the time to take action against this Nazia Elahi Khan After speaking against Musalmans, she is making disgusting comments against our prophet [Saathiyon ab waqt aagya hai iss Nazia elahi khan ki khabar lene ka. Musalmano ke khilaf bolte bolte ab ye humare aaka ke khilaf bhi baate kar rahi hai],” Anjum Khan’s Instagram story reads.

Notably, while speaking to a media channel about the recent controversy over Muslim vendors and shop owners naming their shops after Hindu deities to fool Hindu customers and the UP government’s directive to put up nameplates, Nazia Elahi Khan said, “Then even Hindus will write Muhammad Suar [pig] Shop, Ajmer Liquor Shop, Medina lingerie shop…then there shouldn’t be an objection to this. Then in this case there shouldn’t be ‘Gustakhe Nabi ki ek saza sar tan se juda’ slogans. There have been incidents of Thook Jihad, it’s still happening. Muslims are hiding their names…” Khan said.

It is pertinent to mention that Nazia Elahi Khan is a reformer and has been vocal against radical Islam.

Earlier this year, she had moved a plea seeking a ruling by State authorities that no Muslim girl should be allowed to marry till she completes Class XII. Her petition, however, was dismissed by Calcutta High Court.

Uttar Pradesh: Samajwadi Party leader Nawab Singh Yadav arrested in Kannauj for attempting to rape a minor girl

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Samajwadi Party leader Nawab Singh Yadav arrested in Kannauj for attempting to rape a minor girl

On Monday, August 12, Uttar Pradesh Police shared that they have arrested Samajwadi Party leader Nawab Singh Yadav in Kannauj for allegedly raping a minor girl.

Sharing the news, Kannauj SP Amit Kumar Anand said, “Last night around 1.30 am, a call was received on UP 112 wherein a girl said that she had been stripped and an attempt of assault had been made on her. Kannauj Police reached the spot immediately. The girl was rescued and accused Nawab Singh Yadav was arrested in an objectionable condition.”

He further said that the accused has been arrested and further investigation is underway. The girl is reportedly a minor and is around 15 years of age

The Samajwadi Party leader has been accused of attempting to rape a minor girl in Kannauj district of Uttar Pradesh. The victim had gone with her aunt to ask for a job in the degree college of Samajwadi leader Nawab Singh Yadav. There, Nawab Singh Yadav molested the victim and even removed her clothes. Subsequently, the victim’s aunt called the police. The accused, who is said to be close to Akhilesh Yadav, has been arrested after registering an FIR. The incident took place on Sunday (August 11, 2024).

The incident took place in Kotwali Nagar area of Kannauj. Chaudhary Chandan Singh Mahavidyalaya of Samajwadi Party leader and former block chief Nawab Singh Yadav is located in Adangapur village here.

Nawab Singh allegedly removed the clothes of the victim and started molesting her. When the victim protested, her aunt standing outside came to know about the matter. She immediately called Dial 112 and called the police. The police took the accused into custody. It is being said that the accused was in objectionable condition at the time of the arrest. The victim and her aunt were brought to Kotwali Sadar along with the accused. There a written complaint was taken from the victim, based on which a case was registered against Nawab Singh Yadav under serious sections of the Indian Penal Code including the POCSO Act.

The victim is being medically examined and counselled. The arrested SP leader is said to be very close to Akhilesh Yadav. Many of his photographs with Akhilesh and Dimple Yadav, as well as many other big SP leaders are going viral. In his defense, Nawab Singh Yadav has called the allegations against him a political conspiracy. Upon receiving the news of Nawab Singh Yadav’s arrest, many of his supporters started gathering at the police station. Most of these supporters are Samajwadi Party workers. They also raised slogans in support of the accused.

This case has come to light just days after Samajwadi Party leader Moid Khan and his servant Raju Khan were accused of gangraping a minor girl from Nishad community in Ayodhya. The bakery shop where this incident took place, Moid Khan’s establishment, has since been demolished using a bulldozer. Moid Khan is close to Samajwadi MP Awadhesh Prasad from Ayodhya. Many pictures of the two together have also surfaced. Moid Khan had also campaigned for Awadhesh Prasad in the recent Lok Sabha elections.

Bangladeshi smuggler Abdullah shot dead by BSF in Malda after group of infiltrators attack security forces near Chandnichak

ANI
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Bangladeshi smuggler Abdullah shot dead by BSF in Malda after group of infiltrators attack security forces near Chandnichak

 One Bangladeshi smuggler was neutralised in a retaliatory self-defence fire by the Border Security Force (BSF) along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal’s Malda district, the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) said.

This was following an attack by a group of smuggler’s associates armed with sharp-edged weapons along the India-Bangladesh border in Malda district.

According to the officials, the incident occurred on the intervening night of August 11-12, when the group of smugglers attacked the BSF troops from the Chandnichak Border Outpost of the 115th Battalion under the force’s South Bengal Frontier.

The deceased smuggler has been identified as Abdullah, who is a resident of Rishipara village in the border district Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh. Rishipara village is 4.5 km inside Bangladesh from the International Border.

As per the BSF, the smuggler had crossed the security cordon of Bangladesh’s BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh) and entered the Indian border illegally to take a consignment of bidi leaves. “The smugglers attempted to smuggle contraband items, but the jawans foiled the attempt by firing in self-defense, ultimately driving the assailants back,” said the BSF in a statement.

In this retaliatory action, the border guarding force said, one Bangladeshi smuggler was killed. “Sharp weapons and contraband items were recovered during a search of the area,” they added.

According to reports, during the second shift at the Chandnichak Border Outpost on August 12, a jawan, with the help of PNVB, observed 5-6 individuals moving goods on their heads from the Indian side towards Bangladesh. The jawan quickly moved in to intercept and challenge the smugglers to stop. Ignoring the challenge, another group of 5-6 miscreants hiding in the reed grass attacked the jawan with sharp weapons. Fearing for his life, the jawan fired one round at the smugglers in self-defence,” said the BSF.

Despite the gunfire, the force said, the smugglers continued to move towards Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, a second jawan challenged the assailants, who took advantage of the wild bushes and darkness to attack him as well, it said, adding that “the second jawan, also feeling threatened, fired another round in self-defence. After the firing, all the miscreants fled back towards the Indian border, using the darkness and wild bushes for cover.”

“The company commander, who was on patrol duty, immediately reached the spot and, along with the jawans, searched the area. They recovered six bundles of bidi leaves and found one Bangladeshi smuggler injured in the jungle. He was taken to the government hospital in Mahesil, Murshidabad, where he later died during treatment,” the BSF added.

BSF further said it was not an isolated incident, and that similar deadly attacks on BSF personnel by cattle smugglers and illegal intruders have occurred at the sector headquarters in Berhampur and Malda, within the Murshidabad and Malda districts of West Bengal.

The force also mentioned that attacks have also been reported at the Natna Forward, Kaharpara, and Anuradhapur Border Outposts, as well as at the Mahedra and Ghojadanga Border Outposts under Sector Headquarters Kolkata and Krishnanagar in the North 24 Parganas and Nadia districts. In these incidents, jawans fired stun grenades and other weapons in self-defence, preventing smuggling attempts and illegal intrusions, and seizing 682 bottles of Phensedyl, 50 kg of sugar, and one cattle.

Meetings were held with the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) following all these incidents, during which strong protests were lodged against the unprovoked deadly attacks by Bangladeshi smugglers. A preliminary report has also been lodged at the concerned police station regarding the attack and the defensive firing.

AK Arya, DIG, the spokesperson for the BSF South Bengal Frontier, stated that such incidents are not uncommon in their line of duty. He praised the BSF jawans for performing their duties with exceptional courage and vigilance.

“Despite frequent flag meetings with the BGB to alert them about the ongoing attacks and illegal infiltration by Bangladeshi criminals, no concrete action has been taken. This inaction has emboldened the smugglers and criminals. Nevertheless, our jawans remain steadfast in protecting our borders and ensuring the security of our nation under all circumstances,” Arya said. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Are Islamists in Bangladesh seeking the expulsion of Hindus from govt jobs? Conflicting SM posts raise questions over the resignation of Jahangirnagar University professors

Anurag
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Are Islamists in Bangladesh seeking the expulsion of Hindus from govt jobs? Conflicting SM posts raise questions over the resignation of Jahangirnagar University professors

On 11th August, students of the Department of Law and Justice at Jahangirnagar University (JU) staged a protest and formed a human chain demanding the removal of two teachers from the department. The two teachers, who have been identified as Professor Tapas Kumar and Associate Professor Supravat Pal, have been asked by the students to step down within 24 hours. If the teachers fail to resign, students threaten to declare them unwanted at the campus. The reason behind demanding their resignation has been stated as irregularities and harassment. However, the social media posts regarding these demands contradict the reasons as it has been said that they were asked to step down as they are Hindus.

The protests took place at Shaheed Minar of the University at around 11:30 AM. Students also locked the department stating that it would remain locked until the two professors resigned from their post. Tapas Kumar is the chairman of the department and dean of the faculty.

Contradictory social media posts

OpIndia came across some social media posts that claimed that the professors have been asked to step down accusing them of harassing Muslim students. The post read, “Tapas Kumar Das and Supravat Pal, two teachers from JU’s Law Department, would harass students just by seeing a beard and cap. Students formed a human chain demanding their resignation.”

Source: Facebook

Another post by the same social media handle JU Insider accused another Hindu employee of the University, Palash Saha, of working as a warden for 8 years without knowing the duties of his post. The social media post, written in Bengali, read, “Asked Warden Palash Saha, sir, you are doing the duty of Warden for 8 years. What is the responsibility of the warden? He said, to be honest. I have performed warden for 8 years but don’t know what warden is. Would you like to ask more questions after this?”

Source: Facebook

Allegations raised by students against the two professors

Students alleged that there had been at least 11 incidents of irregularities and harassment. They accused Professor Das of harassing the students in various ways. Reportedly, the professor called the parents of the students and urged them to talk to their children to withdraw from the protest.

Students claimed that Professor Das, being a member of the legal support cell, recommended junior lawyers instead of having skilled lawyers among the former students of the department. They claimed that there were financial and anti-protest political motives behind recommending the junior lawyers.

On the other hand, associate Professor Supravat Pal has been accused of physically assaulting a student in public. Students claimed he also kicked two female students from the current batch. They claimed that a female student posted on social media claiming extramarital sexual harassment by the dean of the law faculty after which she was harassed and forced to leave the university.

They also accused both of using students for personal errands and in exchange increased the grades of some students. Furthermore, they accused them of hiring unqualified and incompetent part-time teachers, who according to the students, were appointed through favouritism by the dean and his supporting teachers.

Speaking to the media, a student named Rezaul Haque Rahi said, “During the protest, the police detained us. Even after we identified ourselves as students, they did not release us. When we called our dean, Tapas Sir, he identified us not as students but as troublemakers.”

Another student said, “On the night of July 15, one of our juniors was shot. When the student’s father called the dean for security, the dean responded, ‘Why is your son standing against the Chhatra League when he is from Sohel’s area (the president of Chhatra League)?’ As a dean, he even threatened the student’s father, saying, ‘How dare your son stand against the Chhatra League?’ Such servility is unbecoming of a teacher.”

In light of these social media posts, the complaints against the two Hindu professors may be a guise for a more insidious agenda. It appears that they are being targeted not for genuine misconduct but rather for their religious identity. Such actions amidst the ongoing attack on Hindus in politically torn Bangladesh raise alarm concerning the growing intolerance and discrimination against the Hindu community including those who are in academia.

‘Highways are not parking space for tractors’: SC orders Haryana and Punjab to explore partial reopening of Shambhu border within one week

OpIndia Staff
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‘Highways are not parking space for tractors’: SC orders Haryana and Punjab to explore partial reopening of Shambhu border within one week

On Monday (12th August), the Supreme Court directed the Chiefs of both Haryana and Punjab Police to explore partial reopening of the Shambhu border, where protesting farmers have been camped since 13th February. The court directed them to hold a meeting along with the SPs of adjoining Patiala and Ambala districts within one week for partially reopening the highway. However, the court categorically observed that the Highways are not a parking space for tractors and trolleys as it asked the Punjab government to persuade the farmers to remove their tractors from the road.

Notably, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan has been hearing the plea of the Haryana government challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court order. The HC had asked it to remove barricades at the Shambhu border near Ambala within a week. The national highway at the Shambhu border between the States of Punjab and Haryana has been facing blockade in the wake of farmers’ protest. 

The bench also asked the Haryana Government to explore the possibility to keep at least one lane available for the passage of vehicles carrying senior citizens, females, people going for medical treatment etc. The bench said that partial opening of the road at Shambhu border is needed to facilitate movement of ambulances, essential services, senior citizens, women, girl students and the local commuters of adjoining areas. 

In its order, the bench directed that if both sides are able to resolve such modalities, they need not wait for any order from this court and let such resolution be directed immediately.

It said, “We will pass a brief order on the terms of the panel to be constituted for talking to protesting farmers at Shambhu border.”

During the hearing, Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh requested the court to issue directions to relax blockade for vehicles involved in essential purposes and daily commuters. Responding to his request, the bench suggested the Punjab government to first persuade the protesters to remove the tractors and trolleys from the site.

Justice Kant told the AG, “Why do not you persuade the farmers…because highways are not parking space for tractors, trolleys etc.”

However, the bench turned down another plea filed by the Haryana government seeking a stay on the High Court’s order which directed a judicial probe by a retired judge into the death of a protesting farmer who allegedly died of a bullet injury. Earlier, on 10th July, the  Punjab and Haryana High Court had observed that farmer Shubh Karan Singh, who died at the Khanuri border during farmer protests in February 2024, got shot with a shotgun, a weapon that Haryana police or the other security forces stationed at the site do not possess.

Nonetheless, appearing for the Haryana government, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta said that the committee has been asked to examine if the force used by the police was proportionate. He objected to this direction, and said that a judicial commission can never ascertain this fact. He added that this direction can “demoralise the police force.” 

To which, the bench replied, “this can also strengthen the police.” The bench observed that the committee’s finding is ultimately an opinion and it will be for the High Court to decide whether to accept or not.

Meanwhile, further, during the hearing, the bench appreciated the Punjab and Haryana government for suggesting a list of names of apolitical persons who could be included in the panel proposed by the Supreme Court to hold negotiations with the protesters and the government.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had asked the Punjab and Haryana governments to suggest the names of some neutral persons for an independent panel which would reach out to the protesting farmers over their demands including the legal guarantee of MSP.

In February, the Haryana government had barricaded the Ambala-New Delhi national highway after the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha announced that protesting farmers would march to Delhi.

Kerala: Wayanad Youth Congress embroiled in scam allegations, President of local unit reportedly accuses VP of embezzling landslide relief funds

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: Wayanad Youth Congress embroiled in scam allegations, President of local unit reportedly accuses VP of embezzling landslide relief funds

Congress party’s youth wing Chelannur unit has landed itself in a major controversy over the allegation of ‘embezzlement’ of funds ‘wrongly’ collected for the Wayanad Landslide relief work. As per reports, Ajal Divanandan is the President of Youth Congress Chelannur constituency. Recently, he wrote a complaint letter to the IYC State President Rahul Mamkootathil in which he accused two Youth Congress leaders of embezzling funds collected for the relief work in the area.  

According to Divanandan’s complaint, Chelannur unit’s vice president Aswin Edavalath and youth Congress worker Anas raised funds allegedly in the name of KSU State Secretary Sanuj Kuruvatur. He also alleged that they later embezzled the funds. 

The complaint also alleged that the two individuals did not participate in the activities held in Chelannur for collecting essential items. It added that the controversial fundraiser has hampered any possibilities of another fund collection. The complaint also demanded action against them. 

In his defence, Aswin Edavalath, one of the accused of embezzling funds, said that he would lodge a complaint with the party’s state leadership over the baseless allegations levelled against him. He claimed that the complaint was part of an internal rivalry in the local unit of the Youth Congress. He said that if the allegations are found to be true, he will quit public activity.  

However, when the Congress party’s youth wing started facing backlash for embezzling funds collected to help Wayanad landslide victims, the Chelannur unit issued a clarification and claimed that no fund scam took place. 

Strikingly, the constituency president who initially highlighted the scam in the fundraiser and filed the complaint in this matter, did a U-turn. He issued a new statement in which he denied any such complaints. He claimed that the complaint was false after it was leaked in the media, leading to a major controversy for the Congress party. 

The leadership of the constituency committee also claimed that no such complaint was filed. While the Youth Congress district leadership went into denial, the party’s state leadership of the Youth wing claimed that no complaints related to fund collection from Chelannur have come to their attention.

Wayanad Landslide

On 30th July, due to incessant and heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, a major landslide occurred at Mundakki, Chooralmala, Vellarimala Village, in district Wayanad. According to the state government, the landslides killed 229 people, while over 130 are still missing.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the landslides-hit Wayanad district and assured that the Central government will “spare no effort” in helping Kerala in relief and rehabilitation while describing the tragedy as “nature displaying its furious form.” He also conducted an aerial survey over disaster-affected areas in Kerala.

During the aerial survey over Chooralmala, Mundakkai, and Punchirimattom areas, PM Modi was accompanied by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.

Academicians and professionals including Dr Vikram Sampath, J Sai Deepak, Ashwin Sanghi, write to Centre seeking asylum for Hindus fleeing Bangladesh

OpIndia Staff
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Academicians and professionals including Dr Vikram Sampath, J Sai Deepak, Ashwin Sanghi, write to Centre seeking asylum for Hindus fleeing Bangladesh

On Monday, 12th August, around 57 Indian authors, columnists, researchers, and scientists raised their voices against the atrocities being faced by the Hindu community in Bangladesh amid the political crisis. In an open letter to the Indian Parliament, they stated that the Hindu community in Bangladesh is in the minority and that they need to be protected from the Islamists who have been launching deliberate attacks on the community after the country’s PM Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post.

Indicating that the Hindus were facing genocide in Bangladesh at the hands of Islamists, an official statement released by the authors read, “Recent incidents have brought global attention to a renewed and alarming pattern of targeted violence against Hindus in the region. The current developments in Bangladesh have destabilized the situation, resulting in increased attacks on minority communities.”

The statement added that the Hindu community in Bangladesh has always been facing attacks and atrocities at the hands of Islamists and these attacks intensify during periods of political instability. “Since 1971, when the Pakistani regime murdered 2.5 million Hindus before the formation of Bangladesh, there has been an ongoing and systematic pogrom against Hindus,” the note added.

As per the reports, there have been over 3,600 attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh since 2013. A Bangladeshi human rights organization identified as Deutsche Welle discovered that over the last 10-12 years, Hindus have been targeted with vandalism and arson, destroying nearly 550 homes and 440 businesses. Over 1,670 incidences of vandalism and arson attacks on Hindu temples, idols, and places of worship were documented during the same time period.

“In recent days we have observed deeply troubling events, including the burning of an ISKCON center in Meherpur, the vandalism of multiple Hindu temples across the country, and the dissemination of videos showing rioters celebrating the lynching of Hindus,” open letters by Hindu authors added.

These further moved to urge the Parliament to pass a unanimous resolution recognizing the ongoing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh and condemning this wave of communal violence. They also asked the Indian Parliament to collaborate with international bodies, such as the United Nations, to press the Bangladeshi authorities to take concrete steps to protect their Hindu minority and hold the perpetrators accountable.

“We, the undersigned, urge the Indian Parliament to also advocate for the provision of humanitarian assistance and asylum options for Hindus fleeing persecution in Bangladesh,” the open letter added.

The authors and academicians who have signed the letter include Dr AK Singh, Abhishek Banerjee, Ashwin Sanghi, Dr. Amit Thadhani, Dr Ratan Sharda, Hindol Sengupta, Rajeev Mantri, Smita Barooah, Dr Vikram Sampath, Pankaj Saxena, Srinidhi Balasubramanian, and more.

Hindus in Bangladesh are facing constant attacks at the hands of Islamists after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government in the country. Islamists have left no stone unturned to target Hindu homes, businesses, and temples. Several similar incidents have been reported by OpIndia exposing the pain that the Hindus in the country are forced to suffer.

On 9th August, a video emerged on social media showing the pain of a Hindu identified as Bimal Chandra Dey who recorded the arson attack at his automobile shop. As per the video, Dey owned a bike shop named ‘City Bike Centre’ in Comilla, Bangladesh which was set ablaze by Islamists amid the ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh.

“Has anyone seen that your dreams have been shattered in front of your eyes? I am seeing that. I am seeing how my future is being destroyed. My workplace is burned. I worked yesterday here, in my shop and now it has been destroyed,” Dey could be heard saying in the video.

On 9th August, a video went viral on social media in which a woman could be heard saying, “They came and looted our house. They took away our money, gold, and whatever valuable that was left with us. They also abducted my 14-year-old boy. I don’t even know their identity. They vandalized our house and took everything away. They also beat us severely.” The woman could be seen continuously crying in the video.

In another Facebook video, one Hindu woman narrated how her family was targeted overnight by Islamist mobs. She stated that her 15-year-old brother was assaulted at knifepoint. They also stole Tk 3 lakh from the family.

“Look how they have vandalized our houses…Is this the work of a human? They are claiming that this is an independent country now. See what they have done to my underage brother,” she narrated the ordeal.

“It’s a curse to be a Sanatani in Bangladesh. I, as a student, am asking why my house is being targeted,” the Hindu woman continued. She pointed out that 3-4 other Hindu houses were attacked similarly.

“Who will give us justice? Who is there to protect us Hindus? Today, they are attacking me. Tomorrow, they will attack you. If we do not stand up to it now, then, we will not be able to survive tomorrow.”

On 7th August, a video showed Islamists breaking new benchmarks for savagery and hatred towards Hindus. In the video, Islamists could be seen encircling a dead victim lying on the ground. There was a pool of blood beneath the deceased man’s broken head, and his hands were bound in handcuffs. Many men were gathered around him. With the aid of a stick, one man, whose face cannot be seen in the video, strips the deceased person naked and checks the victim’s private part for circumcision. Shouting ‘Hindu, Hindu’ over the corpse, the crowd hovering over the dead body laughs, realizing that the man is a Hindu because he is not circumcised.

On 5th August, it came to light that Jihadis attacked Hindus’ houses, shops, and temples in Bangladesh in the guise of protests against the Sheikh Hasina government. Despite the resignation by Hasina from the Prime Minister’s post, the protests continued and so did the attack on Hindus. Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar has also expressed concerns over attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. Earlier, OpIndia reported about the list of 54 attacks released by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and attacks reported by The Daily Star, a Bangladeshi newspaper. Several videos and photos of attacks on Hindus surfaced on social media.

As the day passed by, more details of the attacks with photos and videos surfaced. Apart from the 54 attacks reported earlier, by today, OpIndia has detailed several more incidents of targeted violence against Hindus in Bangladesh after the coup against Sheikh Hasina. Details of Islamist attacks against minority Hindus in Bangladesh can be read here.

Shashi Tharoor condemns violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, but cushions it with the trope of Muslims protecting Temples

OpIndia Staff
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Shashi Tharoor condemns violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, but cushions it with the trope of Muslims protecting Temples

“Sad to see images like this of statues at the 1971 Shaheed Memorial Complex, Mujibnagar, destroyed by anti-India vandals,” Tharoor tweeted in a post on X. “This follows disgraceful attacks on the Indian cultural centre, temples, and Hindu homes in several places, even as reports came in of Muslim civilians protecting other minority homes and places of worship,” he added.

A student-led uprising that devolved into Islamist insurrection in Bangladesh, forced the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and several other senior officials. The protests, which lasted over a month, resulted in at least 450 deaths and led to Hasina’s departure on August 5.

The protests have also had a severe impact on the Hindu community in Bangladesh, with numerous attacks targeting Hindu homes, temples, and businesses. Hindus, who form the largest minority in the predominantly Muslim country, are known to be strong supporters of Hasina’s party, the Awami League.

Since the government’s collapse, over 205 incidents of violence against minority communities have been reported across 52 districts.

Shashi Tharoor has called on the new caretaker government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammed Yunus, to take urgent action to restore law and order in the country.

While Shashi Tharoor specifically called out the religiously motivated attacks against the Hindus in Bangladesh, he also cushioned it with the trope that Muslims were protecting religious places. It is interesting that those who use this trope to shield the Muslim community from taking any responsibility for their targeted hate attacks against Hindus fail to ask the few Muslims whom were they protecting the Temples from. In fact, what is far worse is that while thousands attack Hindus, this trope seems to insist that the 5 Muslims protecting the Temple are the norm while the thousands attacking Temples are the exception.

The liberal-Islamist ecosystem repeats the same trope every single time to condition the masses to elicit a particular kind of social reaction. The first and foremost is to never blame the Muslims or hold them accountable for the mayhem they cause as they are merely a victim of their circumstances. They never initiate any violence and only respond to the events that are thrust upon them. Even when it occurs at the hands of Muslims, the bloodshed simply unfolds as a result of the situation and they are not responsible for it. Hence, anyone could be blamed including the administration, the state, and even the Hindus who are usually victims during such times, but never the Muslims. Lastly, fabricate tales to demonstrate that the Muslim community was not only innocent but was defending Hindus and their holy places to bend the propaganda to the advantage of the former. Notably, in the scenario, the rioters don’t have any religion but the ‘human chain’ always does.

Note: A previous version of this article included details about a statue vandalized as claimed by Shashi Tharoor. However, this claim is not verified and hence, it has been removed from this article. The headline and the article has been changed to that effect.

“Give Bharat Ratna to Vinesh Phogat”: As Khap panchayats make unreasonable demands, here’s how the wrestler’s heartbreaking disqualification is being politicised

Shraddha Pandey
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“Give Bharat Ratna to Vinesh Phogat”: As Khap panchayats make unreasonable demands, here’s how the wrestler’s heartbreaking disqualification is being politicised

Ever since the disqualification of star wrestler Vinesh Phogat before her gold medal bout at the Paris Olympics, attempts are being made to politicise the issue in poll-bound Haryana. After Congress and its supporting ecosystem blamed the Modi government for Vinesh’s disqualification for being overweight, the Khap panchayats in Haryana have also made unreasonable demands concerning Vinesh Phogat, including demand for Bharat Ratna.

‘Sarv Khap Mahapanchayat’ in Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri demanded ‘justice’ for Vinesh Phogat, who belongs to the state. The Khap leaders also demanded that a sitting Supreme Court judge should investigate the matter. Khap leader, and Charkhi Dadri MLA, Sombir Sangwan said that the persons who accompanied Vinesh Phogat were responsible for ensuring her weight did not increase, yet she was found overweight during the weigh-in. He questioned how Phogat’s weight increased suddenly.

Furthermore, the Khap leader demanded that Vinesh Phogat be entitled to all benefits of a silver medal winner by the state as well as central government. Moreover, Sangwan said that they will honour Vinesh Phogat with a gold medal and that she should be honoured by the Central government with Bharat Ratna.

“The main agenda of today’s panchayat was to expose the betrayal and deceit experienced by our daughter and ensure she gets justice. The entire khap and her village will honour her… We have seven demands- a sitting SC judge should hold an enquiry into the matter and the accused be punished, second, Vinesh Phogat should be entitled to all benefits of a silver medal winner by the state as well as central government, third, we will honour Vinesh with a gold medal… we will ask Vinesh to reconsider her decision to retire from wrestling, we demand she is honoured with a Bharat Ratna”, Sangwan said.

While Phogat’s disqualification was a heartbreaking moment for the wrestler and for Indian fans, making such unreasonable demands in complete disregard for the rules reflects the blatant politicisation of the incident rather than genuine concern for her. Demanding such benefits for Vinesh Phogat, despite her disqualification, undermines the essence of sportsmanship and fair play. Javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra won a silver medal in the recently concluded Paris Olympics to follow up on his Gold at Tokyo Olympics, no one is demanding a Bharat Ratna for him. Meanwhile, Vinesh despite her best efforts could not achieve the required weight and thus disqualified, is entitled to Silver medal winner benefits and the highest civilian honour?

Wrestler Aman Sehrawat, unlike Vinesh Phogat, was not accompanied by his own training and conditioning staff but only the staff provided by Sports Authority of India (SAI) and yet managed to reduce 4.6 kgs in 10 hours to meet the 57kg weight limit. Sehrawat not only cut his weight to meet the standard but also won his Bronze medal bout.

Several netizens raised questions over the demands presented by the Khap leaders.

One X user said: “Gold medal for weight gain??? She is yet to say sorry to the nation n people want Bharat Ratna for her!!”

Another one said: “Khap Panchayat should be done in Paris. Aren’t they going to Europe to protest? The Indian Government should send these panchayat leaders to Europe to expose the Olympics. N0nsense….!!

One user Amit said: “Bharat Ratna??? What about Neeraj Chopra? He Won Silver this time. Nobody is asking for him. Why?? This is something bizarre to talk about. Simply a political agenda. In the name of sympathy, they are creating drama now.”

Interestingly, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has already announced to give Vinesh Phogat benefits equal to those of a silver medallist, which risks eroding the fundamental concepts of justice and merit in sports. Notably, according to its sports policy, the Haryana government grants Rs 6 crore to Olympic gold medallists, Rs 4 crore to silver medallists, and Rs 2.5 crore to bronze medallists.

Such demands not only politicise the situation but also give unfair importance to one athlete over others who may have competed under the same stringent criteria, as seen in the case of Aman Sehrawat. Is only Vinesh Phogat “Bharat ki Beti” not Manu Bhaker, are Aman Sehrawat or Neeraj Chopra not “Bharat ka Beta”? Sports have rules for a reason, and disregarding them to benefit an individual, particularly in response to political pressure, undermines the sport’s credibility. It establishes a precedent in which political influence and populist demands trump athletic achievement and rule adherence. Ironically, Khap leaders are demanding Bharat Ratna for a disqualified wrestler Vinesh Phogat but nothing for those who fought and lost by a whisker.

While the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is yet to rule on Vinesh Phogat’s appeal challenging her disqualification, the politics around the incident reflect the desperation of politicians and their supporters to build a narrative in their favour ahead of the state elections.

Notably, the CAS will decide on Vinesh’s plea on the 13th of August. If the CAS decides in favour of Vinesh Phogat and she is given the silver medal, Congress will claim that despite the Modi government’s ‘conspiracies’, Phogat braved them all, and won silver. If the CAS rejects her plea, the opposition parties will play the “Modi’s ego is more important than the silver medal for India” narrative. In both cases, politics will win. It is apparent that Vinesh Phogat is getting all the political attention solely due to her participation in protests against BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in an alleged sexual harassment case.

Despite it being against the rules, Vinesh Phogat was allowed to contest in qualifiers in both the 50 kg and 53 kg categories. She lost the qualifying match in the 53 kg category but won in 50 kg. Therefore, she had to keep her weight below 50 kg because she qualified for the 50 kg category in the Paris Olympics. However, she was struggling to maintain her weight below the allowed limit for several months now. Her weight was around 2.7 kg above the limit a day before the finals, and despite various efforts, including cutting hair, shortening clothes, and sitting in the sauna, the weight could not be brought below 50 kg. Consequently, she was disqualified. Even though Phogat was disqualified on technical grounds and the ruling government had no role in it but had only backed her, the politics over the matter is not subsiding.

Suppose Vinesh Phogat had not participated in the Wrestlers’ Protests or had taken a pro-BJP stand in the past. In that case, the very opposition leaders making absurd claims and malicious allegations against the Central government would have cried ‘favouritism’ when Phogat was given a double chance.

If the opposition parties and the Khap panchayats are demanding Bharat Ratna for a disqualified sportsperson, they should have long back demanded the same for Javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra who won gold in the Tokyo Olympics and silver in the Paris Olympics. However, since Chopra does not provide any political fuel, no such demands are raised for him.  

Vinesh Phogat was disqualified as she was unable to achieve the weight restrictions, which are a crucial criterion in combat sports. The standards are in place to maintain fairness, and her disqualification was due to standard rule enforcement rather than bias.

Demanding prestigious awards and benefits for someone who did not match the minimum eligibility requirements for competition undermines the principles of merit and excellence represented by these accolades. The Bharat Ratna is bestowed for exceptional service and contributions to the nation, and even though Vinesh Phogat has made an unforgettable impact in wrestling, it would be inappropriate to bestow such an honour in the present context.

These demands, which are driven by political motives rather than objective merit, establish a dangerous precedent in which standards and regulations are bent to meet populist demands. This not only reduces the value of such awards but also communicates the message that accountability and responsibility in athletics fall secondary to influence and pressure. It is critical to safeguard the integrity of sports and honours by adhering to the values of fairness, merit, and accountability. If the CAS rules in Vinesh’s favour and gives her the silver medal she has all the right to receive the relevant benefits, however, if this does not happen, the authorities should refrain from providing such benefits and set the right precedent for the future.

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