Casteist remark slur: Odisha’s SCB nursing students intensify stir

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, May 12: 

The nursing students of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Odisha’s Cuttack today intensified their agitation demanding action against Principal Kajal Rani Sinha for allegedly manhandling and making casteist remarks against a student.

The students today gheraoed the hospital superintendent’s office alleging that the principal is attempting to sabotage their protests and demanded her resignation. Some of the students further alleged that they had been locked down in their hostels by the authorities this morning.

“The authorities are trying to suppress the issue. Even though we have lodged a complaint and seeking action, instead of taking action, the hospital authorities this morning locked down some of our fellow students inside the hostel. We are not going back down under pressure. If they fail to take action against the principal, we would stage a rally in Lower PMG of Bhubaneswar and meet the Health Minister tomorrow,” said an agitating student.

Even though the Director of Nursing, and the Superintendent of the hospital met yesterday to work out a solution, no outcome was reached. The meeting is likely to resume today.

On the other hand, the cease work agitation by the students and the interns has affected the healthcare services in the hospital.

It may be noted here that the students had yesterday filed an FIR against the principal in Mangalabag police station under section 341, 331, 354, 294 of IPC and SC/ST Act.