Punjab Newsline | Panchkula
Government nursing officers across Haryana went on a statewide strike on Monday following controversial remarks made by Haryana State Commission for Women Chairperson Renu Bhatia. The protest was triggered after Bhatia allegedly made objectionable comments involving the daughters of nursing staff during her visit to Kurukshetra Civil Hospital.
The Haryana Nursing Federation has written to Chief Minister Nayab Saini demanding Bhatia’s removal from her post, accusing her of publicly insulting nursing officers and hurting their dignity. Despite the growing backlash, Bhatia has reportedly maintained that she will not apologize and can handle the situation herself.
From 10 a.m., nursing staff in government hospitals across all districts stopped work and staged sit-in protests, raising slogans against the Women’s Commission chairperson. In Panchkula, the Pharmacists’ Association also extended support to the strike. The agitation affected hospital services, with patients seen waiting outside OPDs as routine healthcare operations were disrupted.
The controversy stems from Bhatia’s June 7 visit to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Civil Hospital in Kurukshetra, where she reviewed the case of an alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl by a doctor. During the visit, she reportedly reprimanded Principal Medical Officer Dr. Sarah Agrawal and the nursing staff, questioning how the minor had been left alone.
According to those present, Bhatia asked, “Do you have daughters too? Would you leave them alone with someone in a room for 15 minutes? Then how was this girl left alone?” The remarks sparked outrage among nursing officers, who described them as humiliating and insensitive.
Initially, work at Kurukshetra Civil Hospital remained suspended on Monday in protest, but the agitation soon spread across the state. The Haryana Nursing Association called for a statewide strike from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
State association president Vinita said the comments had deeply hurt the dignity and self-respect of nursing officers, adding that the Women’s Commission chairperson should remember that the nursing staff she publicly criticized are also women deserving of respect.
