Madhya Pradesh: Doctor bares the brunt for being tribal in Jabalpur

In a shocking incident, a doctor was allegedly beaten up by a group of goons related to the two women patients — sustaining injuries in an accident — in Jabalpur, as they wanted the women to be treated by an ‘upper caste’ doctor. The report is a proof that still people in this fastest developing country live with ghetto mindset where even medical professionals belonging to Schedule Tribe community are not considered to be equals.

Informing the details, Garha Police Station in-charge S Khan said, as reported by PTI, that Dr Geetesh Ratre complained about the incident. According to him, two women got injured in an accident were brought to the state-run  Subhash Chandra Medical College in Jabalpur at around 7:30 pm. As soon as he attended them, accused individuals demanded that only an ‘upper caste’ doctor should treat the two injured women.

Khan said, as quoted by PTI, ““Dr Ratre was on duty in the Emergency Department and he directed the medical staff to start treatment immediately. However, a mob of about a dozen people, comprising relatives and acquaintances, reached there and asked Dr Ratre his name and caste.”

The individuals demands went into a quarrel with Dr Ratre — belonged to Scheduled Tribe. He was manhandled during the course of the altercation. Later, the accused resorted to taking away the injured women from the hospital. Adding more the police officer said, “On the doctor’s complaint, we have registered a case against these people under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly using casteist remarks and under relevant section of the IPC for obstructing a government staff from doing his duty.” Police said that investigation is underway and they are looking for the absconding goons.

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