AIIMS imposes conditions for holding event; doctors term order arbitrary, illegal

New Delhi: A section of AIIMS faculty members have termed as "arbitrary and illegal" the administration's imposition of conditions for holding a session to discuss caste discrimination at institutes of higher learning, and said it was an attempt to curb their fundamental rights.

The organisers have postponed the event, which was to be held on Monday, in protest and have also sought revocation of the terms.

A group of doctors, belonging to the forum AIIMS Front for Social Consciousness, had decided to hold a discussion on the topic "Ambedkar's views on Social Relations: Caste discrimination in Institutions of Higher Learning" and had written to the administration to book a lecture hall for the same. In its reply, the AIIMS registrar issued certain directions for the event to be conducted.

"No society/forum/association has been allowed to host or participate in the event. No political discussions should be held. No press/media coverage should be done and no press release should be issued without specific approval of the Director AIIMS, as this is being held within the AIIMS premises," the conditions stated.

Professors from the Hindu college and the IIT-Delhi, besides some faculty members, were scheduled to participate in the event.

The response from the administration triggered a resentment among a section of doctors who termed it as an attempt to curb their fundamental rights and held a meeting with the director.

In a communique to the AIIMS administration over their response, a senior doctor representing the group said the order was "arbitrary and illegal" by any parameter of democratic governance and that it prompted them to hold a meeting with the director over the proposed meeting.

The faculty members said the director conveyed that after the election gets over on May 19, the conditions will cease to exist.