AYUSH House Surgeons’ indefinite strike for stipend hike enters fifth day in Warangal

AYUSH house surgeons in Warangal have continued their indefinite strike for the fifth day demanding stipend parity with other medical disciplines. The Telangana AYUSH Joint Action Committee insists on equal pay, while college authorities have warned students against joining the protest, drawing criticism.

Warangal: The indefinite strike launched by Telangana AYUSH Joint Action Committee at Ananthalakshmi Government Ayurvedic Medical College and Teaching Hospital demanding a hike in stipend has entered its fifth day on Saturday.

The JAC joint secretary Dr. Rohith Basre stated that the strike would continue as planned over the coming days, adhering to the slogan ‘No holiday until justice.’ AYUSH house surgeons have not received fair treatment regarding stipends for the past decade.

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“We are not asking for any special concessions from the State government. We are merely seeking equal pay for equal work,” he asserted. He demanded the government issue a GO forthwith increasing AYUSH house surgeons’ stipend to match that of house surgeons in other medical disciplines with clear directives for its implementation.

The JAC leaders stated that they were compelled to launch an indefinite strike because, despite submitting numerous representations to the government over the past decade regarding the stipend issue, no permanent solution has been found.

Meanwhile, a notice issued by the Ayurvedic Medical College principal Dr. Anasuya warning the undergraduate (UG) students, who extended solidarity to the house surgeons, against participating in the house surgeons’ strike has drawn severe criticism from the student community.

The principal in her notice warned UG students of strict disciplinary action as well as passing information to their parents and the AYUSH department director about their participation in the strike. She also told the college medical superintendent to prevent UG students from joining the protest.

The AYUSH JAC stated that intimidating, threatening and pressuring students who wish to express solidarity with a peaceful, democratic movement was not justifiable. House surgeons have been fighting for their legitimate right to a stipend.

On the other hand, Vishwa Ayurveda Parishad (VAP) former general secretary Dr. Kishan, National Medical Association (NMA) member Dr. Chiluveru Ravinder and the College Development Committee member Dr. Sambamurthy pledged their support to the house surgeons’ strike.