'How...': SC on Bengal's 'no night shift for women' note
What's the story
The Supreme Court—led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud—has criticized a West Bengal government notification that discourages allocating night shifts to female doctors in state-run hospitals.
The court directed the state government to amend this notification, which was issued following the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Security responsibility
Court emphasizes state's duty to provide security
"How can you say women cannot work at night? Why limit women doctors? They don't want a concession...women are ready to work in the same shift," said Chandrachud.
The court emphasized that it is the state's responsibility to ensure security for women working night shifts.
Career impact
Court highlights potential career prejudice for women doctors
Addressing Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, counsel for the Mamata Banerjee government, Chandrachud said, "Mr Sibal you have to look at it...you must give security."
He further added "West Bengal should correct the notification, your duty is to provide security...you cannot say that women cannot work at night."
The court also highlighted that preventing women doctors from working at night could negatively impact their careers.
Safety initiative
'Controversial clause to be removed'
In response to this concern, Sibal assured the court that the controversial clause would be removed.
This decision came amid nationwide protests over the RG Kar hospital incident, which sparked discussions about safety measures for female doctors in medical institutions across India.
Safety measure
New safety measures announced for women doctors
Following the uproar over the RG Kar hospital incident, Alapan Bandyopadhyay, CM Banerjee's principal advisor, announced new safety measures for female doctors.
These include deploying women-friendly security personnel at all medical colleges and hospitals and arranging regular night patrols by local police.
"Shifts will be arranged in such a manner...in case of night duties the women doctors can function in pairs," Bandyopadhyay said.