AIIMS RDA call of relay hunger strike, to petition SC

New Delhi, Dec 23: AIIMS Resident Doctors' Association today called off its relay hunger strike, saying they will file a fresh petition in the Supreme Court next month against the reservation issue.

''As of now we want to channelise all our efforts towards the petition and the legal battle ahead. We will challenge reservation on caste basis in the court of law,'' RDA leader Dr Anil Sharma said.

He said the petition will be filed in the first week of January.

''We will fight reservation on all fronts. Though the matter is already in court. We will file a fresh petition,'' he added.

Dr Sharma reiterated that the welfare of patients is a priority for them and patient care will not be affected in the world-renowned healthcare institution.

''Even during the strike we did not halt work.... that will go on regardless,'' he said.

The Youth for Equality (YfE), which is spearheading the anti-OBC reservation agitation, has begun a mass mobilisation campaign against the Bill, which was approved by Parliament last week.

The agitation will turn into a mass movement and YfE representatives are in touch with several organisations within and outside the national capital to garner support for the anti-quota agitation, Dr Sharma said.

Students of Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University and IP University have launched protests against reservation.

The indefinite hunger strike, which began on December 14, had turned into a relay protest as the fasting doctors were showing acute signs of weakness.

Consequently, a batch of 20 AIIMS resident doctors on December 20 replaced the 25 doctors, who have been on a hunger strike for six days.

The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Bill, 2006, which provides 27 per cent quota for OBC students in higher educational institutions maintained and aided by the Union Government, was approved by both Houses of Parliament last week.

UNI

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