Docs continue hunger strike against Quota Bill

New Delhi, Dec 15: The AIIMS Resident Doctors' Association tonight decided to continue their indefinite hunger strike in protest against the passage of the controversial OBC reservation bill in the Lok Sabha.

The General Body Meeting of the 1,200-member RDA decided not to withdraw the fast which was called immediately after the passage of the Bill last night.

As many as 20 residents, including 15 members of the RDA executive are on the hunger strike.

However, services in the world renowned healthcare institution were not affected by the strike and patients were being attended to.

The fasting doctors also attended duty today.

AIIMS Medical Superintendent Dr D K Sharma said operations in all departments, including the OPD and the Emergency which are generally manned by the residents, continued as per schedule.

''It was work as usual as per schedule and patients were treated on routine basis,'' he added.

The angered resident doctors accused the Government of ''betraying'' them and failing to secure the interest of the masses.

''The Government had assured us that the interest of the masses will not be compromised.... But neither recommendations of Veerappa Moily Committee nor the Parliamentary committee have been considered. Our demands don't figure anywhere,'' RDA member General President Dr Kumar Harsh told UNI.

''This is vote bank politics and the politicians of are trying to divide the country on the basis of caste,'' he alleged.

The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Bill, 2006, provides for 27 per cent quota for OBC students in higher educational institutions maintained and aided by the Union Government.

Dr Harsh said the Government did not even wait for courts to pronounce their verdict on the contentious issue.

''When the matter is subjudice what was the hurry to rush the bill. We are not against any section of society but only want merit to be given priority,'' he added.

He reiterated that the agitation will be peaceful and non-violent.

The AIIMS RDA is holding talks with other organisations and colleges for support on the strike.

The AIIMS RDA, under the banner of Youth for Equality, had started and spearheaded the anti-quota agitation since May.

Students from almost all institutions took to streets in May and September in protest against OBC reservation.

The doctors have appealed the public to support the anti-quota agitation.

In the Lok Sabha yesterday, Union Human Resource and Development Minister Arjun Singh said a separate Bill was under preparation to provide reservation in unaided educational institutions also.

''The Bill is consistent with Constitutional provisions and will meet the goal of equity and social justice,'' he added.

The government would take further steps to provide reservation in private institutions of higher learning only after taking all political parties into confidence.

UNI

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