Haryana women’s panel chief resigns amid nurses’ protest over her remarks

Kurukshetra/Sonipat: Haryana State Commission for Women chairperson Renu Bhatia on Tuesday night resigned from her post amid a raging controversy over her remarks against a staff nurse during a visit to Kurukshetra Civil Hospital following the alleged rape of a minor girl by a consultant doctor.Nurses across Haryana launched protests, demanding an apology from Bhatia.Bhatia had visited the hospital on Sunday to inquire into the Pocso rape case involving a retired doctor who had by then been arrested. During her interaction with hospital staff, Bhatia allegedly reprimanded some nurses and had strong words for a staff nurse. She reprimanded hospital officials and nursing personnel over the handling of the case and questioned the circumstances under which the minor was allegedly left unattended.A video of the interaction was shared on social media, triggering outrage among nursing associations, who felt the remarks were inappropriate and amounted to a public insult to the nursing fraternity.The backlash started at Kurukshetra Civil Hospital, where employees suspended work in protest. The agitation swiftly spread across the state, prompting Haryana Nursing Association to call for a statewide symbolic strike from 10am to 12 noon on Tuesday, seeking action against Renu Bhatia.Although emergency services, intensive care units, and maternity services continued to function, several routine healthcare services suffered disruptions during the protest period.Nursing unions accused the women's commission chief of "humiliating a victimised section of employees instead of supporting them", and demanded an unconditional public apology from her.Amid the controversy, Bhatia submitted her resignation to Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday night. Her resignation letter does not mention anything about her remarks about the nurses, nor does it contain any apology.Haryana govt has not yet issued a statement regarding the acceptance of her resignation or the appointment of a successor. It also remains unclear whether the nurses' organisations will withdraw their protest following her resignation.Ends MSID:: 131618667 413 |