Wanted: Abuse shield for male docs

Hindustan Times

Soumyajit Pattnaik
Bhubaneswar, December 10, 2005

A gynaecologist in Orissa's Bhadrak town was arrested earlier this week for allegedly raping a patient. The doctor denied the charge.

A government doctor in Khurda was suspended a couple of months ago for allegedly molesting a female patient. The doctor alleged frame-up.

Healing has its pitfalls in Orissa. At least for men. Male doctors are crying for safety nets so that they can treat women without risking allegations of sexual harassment. A spate of arrests and suspensions of doctors in government hospitals has forced male doctors to demand written undertakings from the husbands and parents of women patients for treatment of "sensitive body parts".

In Bhubaneswar's Capital Hospital, doctors are referring women to lady doctors. Madhusudan Mishra, president of the Orissa Medical Service Association (OSMA), said, "Under the circumstances, the only solution is that either the lady doctors treat women or the government put checks in place to prevent allegations of sexual abuse."

Echoes Hadibandhu Rautray, secretary of the OMSA branch in Bhubaneswar's Capital Hospital, "Either the government posts adequate lady doctors or relatives sign bonds that if the treatment requires detailed examination, they would not object or women trust the doctors completely."

But trust is a scarce commodity. On Saturday, a woman came to the hospital for breast treatment. The male physician on duty tried to bundle her off to a lady doctor, but none was to be found. The harried doctor insisted that her husband and daughter be present during the check-up.

Rattled by the reports, health minister Bijoushree Rautray plans to convene a meeting of senior officials to look into the problem.

No rape charges against man for eloping with girl

Wednesday, October 12, 2005, Chandigarh, India
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 11
A youth, who had eloped with a 16-year-old girl and married her, has been acquitted of rape charges by a Delhi court accepting the victim’s statement that whatever had happened was with her consent.

Though the prosecution claimed she was just 11-and-a-half-year old at the time of the incident, Additional Sessions Judge Swarn Kanta Mehra set free Ram Balak after it was proved through a calcification test that she was 16 years old, the age at which her consent is valid as per law.

Ram Balak, who was in love with the sixth standard girl, had picked her up from her residence in Anand Parbat here on July 15, 2003.

He took her away to Sitamarhi in Bihar where they got married and spent eight months together before they were nabbed.

Denying the prosecution’s kidnap and rape story, the girl told the court that she was in love with the accused and got married as per her own will.

However, finding him guilty under Section 363 (kidnapping a minor) of IPC, the court convicted the accused of taking the girl, who had not attained the age of 18, out of her legal guardianship and thereby “affecting her studies”.

He was awarded a one-and-a-half year sentence which he has already undergone in custody and directed to pay a fine of Rs 5,000.

“At that age she was not able to appreciate what was good or bad for her. It was not the time for her to get married but concentrate on her education. The act resulted in loss of studies and it can be attributed to the accused,” the court said.
(Source: The Tribune)

THE HINDU

Tuesday, Sep 28, 2004

Letters to the Editor

LAUDABLE

Sir, — The Defence Ministry's decision to appoint more women doctors in the Army is laudable. Equally welcome is its decision to give Surya Moudgil another chance to appear before an all-women Army medical board. Those who criticised the aggrieved Ms. Moudgil and the All India Democratic Women's Association ought to think again. Let us hope that these developments will serve as eye-openers and sensitise the Army towards women.

C. Selvamani,
Bangalore

Sir, — Ms. Moudgil's case has come to light because of her boldness. The question is not whether it is right or wrong for women candidates to be examined by male doctors. Medical test is not an emergency; she could have been allowed to exercise her option. The conviction with which she braved all odds and the fact that she even risked a career for a principle are praiseworthy.

She stands out among those who suffer in silence due to social pressure or lack of confidence.

Chhavi Rana,
Rohtak, Haryana

Sir, — I congratulate AIDWA and Ms. Moudgil for remaining steadfast and taking up the issue courageously.

Pathamadai Mani Sundaram,
Chennai

(Source: The Hindu)

AIDWA to move court against Army recruitment procedure

THE HINDU

Thursday, Sep 23, 2004

By Our Staff Correspondent

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 22. The All-India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) has decided to move the Supreme Court to protest against the Army's recruitment procedure that involves "intimate" physical examination of women candidates by male doctors.

Talking to presspersons here today, the AIDWA general secretary, Brinda Karat, said she had written to the Chief of the Army Staff, N.C. Vij, on September 15 but had got no response. "We will wait for another three days before filing a petition in the court for changing the rules that are embarrassing and humiliating for young girls, most of whom come from a rural background," she said. The procedure was "insensitive and callous" towards women, she added.

Also present at the press meet was Surya Moudgil from Haryana, who lost the opportunity to get a job as a Lieutenant (non-field posting) after she refused to undergo physical examination by male doctors as the surgical and gynaecological test involved "intimate" physical examination. Worse, she was "ridiculed" for being "ancient" and told that she needed to "grow up."

`In vogue for years'

Ms. Moudgil said that doctors in Allahabad, where she went for the test, made it clear that the rules could not be changed for her. The practice was being followed for the past 10 years and no woman recruit had protested.

Ms. Moudgil, who holds a post-graduate degree in Mathematics, had applied through the Service Selection Board and reached the medical examination stage after four rounds of tests. This was her fourth attempt and the second time she reached the medical examination stage.

The first time, in Bangalore, a woman doctor examined her. "I knew from experience that the gynaecological examination involved taking off my clothes and an intimate procedure. The second time, in Allahabad, I asked for a woman doctor when I realised that the examination was being carried out by male doctors."

An officer told her blankly that "the doctors only see and don't touch" and that she should not have applied if she had objections to the procedures.

`Ridicule and humiliation'

Braving "ridicule and humiliation," Ms. Moudgil came to the Army Base Hospital in Delhi for examination. She was told that only the Head of the Department was authorised to conduct the tests, and he was a male. Before seeking the medical test, she was asked to show the "application of refusal" given to her in Allahabad, which made things difficult for her.

"The fact remains that the aspirants are unaware of this until they reach the medical examination centres, and the experience is traumatising," Ms Karat said. Almost all the woman recruits who underwent the medical examination by male doctors felt "embarrassed and humiliated," Ms. Moudgil said.

"Some threw up after the examination, others went pale and many others were depressed for days, though not many found the courage to protest as they feared losing the job or bringing disrepute to their families," she added.

Nurse present: Army

An Army spokesperson, Col. S.K. Sakhuja, said that whenever a male surgeon conducts an examination, a woman nurse or attendant is present keeping in mind the sensitivities of the women aspirants.

The Army had its own constraints but whenever possible lady gynaecologists were asked to carry out examinations of women candidates.

In this particular case, according to Col. Sakhuja, the three girls who had reservations on being examined by male surgeons were asked to report in Delhi for medical examination. There, the tests were conducted on two girls in the presence of a woman nurse, while Ms. Moudgil refused even that.

(Source: The Tribune(

Pranab to direct Army to provide female gynaecologists

The Tribune, 24 sep, 2004
New Delhi, September 23

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said today he would direct the Army to make available female gynaecologists for medical examination of women candidates in the wake of an aspirant’s complaint that she was rejected because she refused to undergo tests by a male gynaecologist.

“We will tell them to make female gynaecologists available,” he told reporters here when asked about the claims made by the complainant Surya Moudgil that she could not clear the medical tests as she refused to be examined by a gynaecologist and a surgical specialist, both men.

Meanwhile, the CPI (M)-affiliated All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) today said it would slap a suit on the Army against its “insensitivity” to women recruits, who are put through intimate medical tests by male doctors.

The AIDWA, which will move the Supreme Court, said it had documentary evidence to back its claim that women candidates for army recruitment were medically examined by male doctors.

“Since the Army has not recognised the legitimacy and validity of the complaint and continues to be gender-insensitive, we have no alternative but to go to court. We will be moving the Supreme Court,” AIDWA general secretary Brinda Karat said.

The AIDWA was incensed that the Army did not make arrangements for women surgeons and gynaecologists when it called women candidates for the medical tests.

According to the AIDWA, which presented Ms Surya Moudgil, one of the women candidates for the Short Service Commission, at a news conference here, no female surgeon or gynaecologist was present when she was put to medical tests.

Ms Moudgil refused to be examined by the male surgeon and gynaecologist at the Delhi Base Hospital, said Ms Karat, a CPI (M) central committee member.

“It’s a question of a woman’s physical integrity. And for the Army to do it sends a very bad message to the rest of the society showing insensitivity to the working women,” she said.

In its clarification, the Army said a female gynaecologist was present along with a male surgeon during the tests for women candidates.

Three women, including Ms Moudgil, were taken to Delhi from Allahabad after they wanted to be examined by female doctors, an Army spokesman said.

Two of the women candidates “understood the arrangements” in Delhi where a female gynaecologist and a male surgeon were present, he said.

Ms Moudgul, however, wanted a female surgeon and refused to be examined, he added.

Ms Karat dismissed the Army clarification as “a lie”. “The Army is spreading misinformation. There was no female gynaecologist.

“When you have women candidates, why didn’t it make arrangements for the presence of female doctors?” she asked.

The Army has 12 women gynaecologists in Delhi, but it does not have any female surgeon. The medical tests took place on August 27 and again on September 2 in Delhi.

A female attendant was present for tests with male doctors at Allahabad, but the women candidates had reservation, the spokesman said. — PTI, UNI

(Source: The Tribune)

Army gets women recruits examined by male docs

The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Normally it's up to a woman whether she wishes to go to a female or a male gynaecologist. In fact, most prefer female practitioners. But it seems the Indian Army doesn't give women the choice — if only a male doc is available, so be it. Take it or lump it.

This is what Surya Moudgil discovered to her horror. She had applied for a lieutenant's post in the army through the services selection board. When it came to the medical, including gynaecological examinations, she found it was to be done by male doctors.

Surya recalls the trauma that she and other girls underwent at the thought of having to strip, and get examined, by a male doctor. She, however, was the only one who spoke up.

In her medical examination in Allahabad on July 8, Surya raised an objection and requested for a woman gynaecologist. "The president, special medical board, Lt Colonel Turlapati told me, ‘Doctors only see, they don't touch'. He also told me that if I had a problem I shouldn't have applied and that I was the only one with a problem."

The events were revealed at a press conference here on Wednesday, held under the aegis of the All-India Democratic Women's Association, which plans to take up the issue in the Supreme Court.

Surya said her objection only invited ridicule by other Army doctors. "While the ENT specialist told me that I need to grow up, the eye doctor told me that for an eye examination he'd have to come very close to my face." She was finally advised by one doctor to go to the base hospital in Delhi for the examination since it would have female doctors.

So, she arrived in Delhi for the examination on July 29. But it was the same story all over again.

(Source: TOI)

Banderas and Timberlake Share Emotional Moment

Antonio Banderas was so moved while watching his eagerly-anticipated new movie Shrek 2 with Justin Timberlake, he ended up sobbing and holding hands with the pop hunk. The Spanish actor viewed the animated film at France's Cannes Film Festival last week as he sat in between Timberlake and the 'N Sync star's girlfriend Cameron Diaz, who also adds her vocals to the production. Banderas says, "I was kind of crying at the end of the thing. It was kinda funny because there's is a very romantic moment at the end of the movie. My character says, 'I wanna cry,' and I was crying. Cameron Diaz was (to the left) and Justin Timberlake was (to the right), and he said to me, 'I'm crying too!' So we held hands for a while. Cameron was just looking over there (thinking), 'These guys, what are they doing?'"

(bigger version: Zorro star leaps to Timberlake's defence)

No stags allowed at Buddha Park

HT correspondent, New Delhi, January 7

If you are planning to take a stroll, the Buddha Jayanti Park is not for you. And if you still insist on going there make sure it's with a woman.

The Delhi Police on Wednesday arrested five men and questioned two others for "aimlessly" roaming about in the park.

The police said the drive will continue. Cops in plainclothes will either drive away or arrest all men who visit the park without a woman companion.

Men visiting the park without a woman escort seem to make a "natural suspect' for the cops.

The drive was launched after the New Delhi district police found themselves unable to prevent incidents of women being harassed at the park.

Last October, a Jesus and Mary College student was raped by Presidential bodyguards. On Sunday, a young couple was accosted by four men who stripped the man and showed the woman the way out of the park. The girl managed to reach her Gurgaon house.

The four are yet to be arrested.

Since Monday, 10 cops from the local police and 12 from the Para military forces have been searching the park. On Wednesday, they arrested Narendra, Pramod and Sushil who run a book binding shop in Noida. They also arrested Rajkumar and Wasim Khan, who runs a shop at Bara Hindu Rao. The five were found peeping into bushes. Two others were let off after questioning.

The police want the park to have either a boundary wall or a fence. "We want to send a strong message that people found loitering in the park or creating nuisance will be dealt with," said DCP (New Delhi) Manoj Lall.

Pompoms in Akhada: Kushti in age of WWF

Indian express, unknown date (around 2003)

Shailendra Awasthi, Mumbai, Feruary 29

Pompom meets langot, cheerleader meets pahelwan, catwalk meets clay. Welcome to Kushti in the age of the World Wrestling Federation.

At the all-India wrestling competition held here today, mud smeared pehelwans dressed in traditional langots (loincloths) walked down a 70-ft-long ramp to the ring, escorted by models, and to music played by Mumbai's famous wedding band Astik. While the audience remained all-male, 32 female cheerleaders were present to root for the wrestlers. The Akhada bore a new look too; raised to 4 ft above the ground, and laid with a foot-thick layer of clay.

If there was a strong hint of the schmaltzy but successful WWF, there were no complaints. Former wrestler and Uttar Pradesh Kesari (champion) Keshav Singh pointed out that unlike the staged wrestling extravaganzas of America, Indian kushti wasn't fixed. So it was a happy marriage of spectacle and tradition.

"We thought of bringing some novelty to the event," said Mukesh Parav, representative of the main sponsor, the Congress party's sport's cell. "A kind of trendsetter."

Opposition? There wasn't' any. "Mud wrestling should not remain untouched in the era of globalisation," said Singh, "Our image needs to be changed."

Murtaza Khan, vice-president of the Bharatiya Kushti Mahasangh, also welcomed the glamour, "If any change is for the betterment of the sport, it is always welcome," he reasoned.