The paediatric ward of the female wing of Government Doon Medical College (GDMC) hospital where the alleged rape victim of Nainbagh area of Tehri is recovering from the harrowing experience has become a scene of political showmanship.
The politicians and the self confessed social workers are making a beeline of the ward where the alleged rape victim is kept making things difficult for the hospital staff.
What is disturbing that the minor victim who is only nine year old and is yet to come out of the trauma of the physical assault is now being subjected to mental harassment by constant stream of these so called well wishers.
After the incident was reported and the victim was brought back to the GDMC hospital on June 2 , after being discharged on May 31, political leaders of all hues have made it a point to visit her. On Monday, the Pradesh Congress Committee ( PCC) President, Pritam Singh paid a visit to the hospital where he inquired about the condition of the child. After this the minister of state for women and child development Rekha Arya arrived in the hospital.
On Tuesday morning, the founder of Bhim Army, Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan arrived in the hospital with scores of loud mouthed supporters.
In gross violation of rules and norms of civilised behaviour, the supporters of Bhim Army raised slogans in the hospital campus. Talking to the media persons, Chandrashekhar said that action should be taken against the culprit and claimed that he would visit the village of the victim in Tehri.
Later in the day, the chairperson of the State Commission for Protection of Chid Rights (SCPCR), Usha Negi also visited the hospital.
On Tuesday evening the social welfare minister Yashpal Arya paid a visit to the hospital. Among those who have visited the victim are Rajpur road MLA Khajan Das, former Member of Parliament (MP) from Rajya Sabha, Tarun Vijay, Congress leader Asha Tamta and many others.
When contacted, the Medical Superintendent (MS) of GDMC, Dr K K Tamta accepted that the victim should be kept alone. He said it is very disturbing that the supporters of Bhim Army shouted slogans in the hospital. “We are making arrangements for counselling session by psychologist for her,’’ he said.
Taking strong exception to large number of people meeting the child, the head of department of psychiatry of GDMC, Dr J S Rana said, “The child should not be exposed to people other than those treating her and her family members.
These people are making her to relive the horror. The child should be spared otherwise she would be exposed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which include nightmares, flashbacks and hysteria.’’
Noted clinical psychologist, Dr Sona Kaushal Gupta said, “ If those visiting the victim ask her or remind her about the incident than she would relive the trauma but if they are just showering affection on her then it would have positive impact on her.’’