Doctors at Rangpur Medical College (RMC) observed a two-hour work stoppage, demanding the removal of the newly appointed principal, Dr Md Mahfuzar Rahman.
As per the pre-announced program, the program was held on Tuesday from 8:00 to 10:00am under the banner of the anti-discrimination doctors’ movement.
On October 29, the health ministry appointed Dr Md Mahfuzar Rahman, the vice principal of Rangpur Medical College, as the principal.
After the news of the appointment of Mahfuzar Rahman as the new principal of Rangpur Medical College, a section of the anti-discrimination doctors, employees, and students have been protesting for the removal of Mahfuzar Rahman since the next day (October 30).
Earlier, on Monday, a protest march and gathering were held on the college campus, calling for principal removal. During the rally, doctors, students, and staff gave a 48-hour ultimatum, demanding his resignation or removal from the post.
They announced that a section of the doctors and staff would start a work stoppage if the demand weren’t met within this timeframe.
Dr Shariful Islam Mondal, General Secretary of the Movement Committee and Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, announced doctors would observe a two-hour work stoppage in both the hospital’s indoor and outdoor departments Tuesday.
He said, “If the demands are not met, a full work stoppage will be enforced from Wednesday.”
Dr Mondal accuse Mahfuzar Rahman of using ‘fascist’ tactics to secure his position and alleged that he previously acted against student protests and pressured doctors to alter the forensic report on the murder of Shaheed Abu Sayed.
Protests against Mahfuzar Rahman began October 30, when demonstrators locked his office. They alleged that he had opposed the anti-discrimination student movement while serving as Vice-Principal.
In a counter-human chain on Sunday, supporters gathered in front of the Rangpur Press Club under the banner of “Former Students and Concerned Citizens of Rangpur,” rejecting the allegations against Mahfuzar Rahman as false and baseless.
