Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Divide over reservation deepens

Priyam Bhasin

Sunday, July 23, 2006 (New Delhi):


The debate over reservation may seem to have toned down for people but
at medical colleges it still continues and is very much alive at
AIIMS.

The recent agitation has only underlined and fuelled the divide that
already existed between the pro-quota and anti-quota lobbies.

Not all doctors are happy with the Supreme Court's decision to pay
doctors who'd struck work.

Doctors, who were working during the three weeks of reservation row,
say the court was being discriminatory.

The SC's decision to pay has strengthened the anti-quota lobby.

"In the court it was said, that release the salaries, and do not make
it a precedent, which means that the judiciary was biased towards
those protesting against quotas," said Dr Anoop Saraya, senior doctor,
AIIMS.

On Saturday, senior doctors including the vice dean students and
workers demonstrated at AIIMS.

Caste-based discrimination

The pro-quota lobby says it is also fighting caste-based
discrimination and the insults and abuse faced by reserved category
students during the recent strike.

"We, the SC/ST doctors' association, have filed a PIL in the Delhi
high court. Doctors from reserved categories were harassed, and not
allowed to work, but the authorities failed to take action," said Dr
Rathore, Maulana Azad Medical College.

The doctors who oppose reservation say there was never any discrimination.

"These allegations are baseless, they oppose Dr Venugopal. It's all
being done because they are against him," said Dr Anil Sharma,
Spokesperson, Youth for Equality.

On one side of the AIIMS campus there were the anti quota protest
which went on for three weeks. But on the opposite side, protests are
still on against discrimination faced by students belonging to
reserved categories.

This deep and bitter divide within the medical community along caste
lines has further deepened with the Supreme Court's orders.

What's worrying is that what happens here sets a precedent elsewhere
in the country.

2 comments:

Ramya said...

for everyone their caste is important which is not wrong.but privileges are given to one side only which is partial.there is never a limit for it which is obviously seen.thats what we protest.just to gain vote banks,politicians have messed up the system.so every where problem arises.obviously people react and fight.thats the reality.

ASA said...

fine by me if no one comments here. Our mission is on, and we are working for the solidarity of depressed classes.
After all how many obcs, yu will find on the net.