Doctors strike continues; refuses to follow SC direction

Mumbai May 31 (UNI) Protesting doctors and people in the city seemed confused today following the country's Apex Court direction to call off the 19 day long protest by doctors with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, medicos in the city have decided to continue their strike with more determination and newer tactics, thereby setting the stage for a confrontation with the Supreme Court.

Members of the Youth for Equality (YFE) maintained that the court's directive did not stop them from protests, hence there was no question of contempt.

Dr Ravikant Singh of King Edwards Hospital (KEM) and member of YFE said, ''we will continue the strike irrespective of the Supreme Court's (SC) directive.'' The SC order was directed at the six central hospitals run by the union government and particularly Delhi, where the medical services stands crippled, Dr Singh added.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had indicated that continuation of the protest can invite contempt proceedings. While it stated that Government should appropriately consider the demands of students and not take any punitive action, if they call off their strike.

Dr Jimmy Abraham of Toppiwala National Hospital stated that members of YFE were seeking legal opinion to understand the SC directive and whether the directive was binding on the city medicos.

Efforts were being made now to register YFE as an organisation, so donations could be received. After the Malabar hill lathi charge, administration and police have refused permissions for peaceful rallies and dharna's, said Dr Abraham.

The fortnight old sporadic protests by city medicos is finally attracting students, housewives and concerned citizens into the fold of protesting engineers and doctors.

KEM's, Dr Rima Pathak said,'' we are now planning a coordinated effort to educate and make people aware of the ill-efffects of reservation. It is they and their children who are going to benefit from our protests.'' People from Other Backward Communitties (OBC) have extended their support and soon support teams will crisscross the rural parts of the state to apprise people of the government move, noted Dr Pathak.

On a cautious note, Dr Amit Kumar of Sir J J Group of Hospitals and Grant Medical College said, ''We have the highest respect for the Apex Court of the country. But one also cannot deny the supremacy of the Parliament over the Supreme Court. Hence, there is a 100 per cent possibility of the Parliament being used to frame a law on reservation.'' UNI GVS MJ SK RK2021