NEW DELHI: The faculty members and doctors of India’s premier medical institute, the All India institute of medical sciences (AIIMS) here, went on an “indefinite” strike in protest against the alleged assault of a senior doctor by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Mahender Singh Tikait.
Both the outpatients department and emergency services have been closed after the agitated doctors and senior faculty members convened an emergency meeting to take stock of the situation.
ATIMS doctors alleged that Tikait slapped Maheshwari, a senior Orthopedic surgeon, while his supporters hurled abuses at other doctors who were present on duty.
The BKU leader had gone to the AIIMS to get his left foot examined as he was suffering from an old injury.
About a dozen supporters of Tikait were advised by the doctors to remain out of the casualty wing of the hospital while Tikait was being examined.
His supporters got wild and started abusing and physically assaulting doctors, AIIMS sources said.
Describing the incident as “most unfortunate”, authorities said it was for the first time that both faculty members and doctors had gone on strike together.
The striking doctors demanded immediate action against the guilty persons to assuage the feelings of AITMS doctors.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 22, 1989
