Doctors observe black day in support of protesting Haryana MBBS students

Sunit Dhawan

Rohtak, November 7

MBBS students agitating against the imposition of bond fee by the Haryana government got a shot in the arm with the HCMS doctors of Haryana and Resident Doctors Associations (RDAs) of several states observing a black day today in their support.

The call for today’s nationwide observance of black-ribbon protest was given by the Federation of Resident Doctors Associations (FORDA) India.

“HCMS doctors across the state wore black badges today to show solidarity with the protesting MBBS students, support their demand for the rollback of bond fee and condemn the police action against them,” said Dr Jasbir Parmar, an HCMS doctor.

The MBBS students maintained that the RDAs of eight states observed black day today in their support, adding that the protest would continue till their demand is met.

“When our delegation met the Chief Minister during his recent visit to Rohtak, he categorically told us that the bond fee would not be rolled back. He stated that the bond fee was meant to support the state in meeting the expenses on healthcare and medical education, which is unjust for the students. He also justified police action against us instead of showing empathy,” said a protesting student.

The MBBS students who have been staging a protest demonstration on the PGIMS campus at Rohtak were rounded up by the police during the wee hours on Saturday, hours before the arrival of Haryana Governor and Chief Minister at Rohtak.

The agitating students have alleged rough treatment at the hands of the police. Though the students detained by the police were later released, the FIR registered against them remains intact.