AYUSH doctors strike enters 21st day in Telangana, plan indefinite hunger strike

The Telangana AYUSH House Surgeons and PG doctors’ strike entered its 21st day on Monday, with the protesting doctors demanding a hike in stipend. The JAC warned of an indefinite hunger strike if the government fails to issue a GO.

Warangal: There has been no response from the Congress government even as the ongoing strike by AYUSH House Surgeons and PG doctors in Telangana entered its 21st day on Monday, seeking a hike in their stipend.

It may be noted that the AYUSH doctors under the aegis of Telangana AYUSH House Surgeons and PG Doctors Joint Action Committee (JAC) have been staging protests for the past three weeks at Ananthalakshmi Government Ayurvedic Medical College and Teaching Hospital in Warangal. Similar protests are being staged across Telangana by the JAC.

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Upset over the government’s nonchalant attitude, the AYUSH students, House Surgeons and PG doctors, JAC joint secretary Dr. Rohith Basre warned that if a GO regarding the AYUSH stipend was not released by this Friday, they would embark on an indefinite hunger strike as the next phase of the protest.

The AYUSH doctors complained that they had received only vague assurances from the government so far regarding the hike in stipend, with officials stating that the GO would be released in a couple of days or a week, yet the government order has still not been issued.

A stipend on par with Allopathy doctors was a legitimate demand, not a special privilege. The striking students questioned why there was such a delay in securing justice for AYUSH doctors on the very soil where the struggle for the State of Telangana was fought successfully.

The JAC called upon the activists who fought for the statehood of Telangana, student leaders, civil society organisations and everyone who believes in democracy to stand in solidarity with the AYUSH doctors’ legitimate struggle being staged peacefully and democratically.

They made it clear that the government should not underestimate AYUSH students, House Surgeons and postgraduate doctors. Peaceful protests do not mean their demand was weak, and their patience was not a sign of weakness.

The JAC leaders further stated that if the government still failed to respond, they would launch a massive, State-wide democratic movement involving approximately 2,500 AYUSH students, House Surgeons and PG doctors.