Ramdev's remarks: Federation of resident doctors associations to hold nationwide protest on June 1
New Delhi, May 29: Upset over Yoga guru Ramdev's remarks on allopathy, the federation of resident doctors associations on Saturday said they will hold a nationwide protest on June 1 and observe it as a 'black day'.
In a statement, the federation has also sought an "unconditional open public apology" from him for his remarks.
In a tweet, the Federation of Resident Doctors Associations, India (FORDA) said, even after raising objections to statements by Ramdev, "no action has been taken yet. We hereby declaring Nationwide #BlackDayProtest on 1st June,2021 at workplace, without hampering healthcare services".
"We demand unconditional open public apology from him or action against him under the relevant sections of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897," the statement said.
It alleged that Ramdev's remarks have added to the "vaccine hesitancy" among the people. Vaccination against COVID-19 is currently underway in the country starting January 16.
A row had erupted over the yoga guru's alleged remark in a viral video clip in which he was heard questioning some of the medicines being used to treat the coronavirus infection and saying that "lakhs have died from taking allopathic medicines for COVID-19".
The remarks were met with vociferous protests. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan asked him to withdraw the "extremely unfortunate" statement following which Ramdev withdrew the statement on Sunday.
However, the yoga guru posed 25 questions to the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in an 'open letter' on his Twitter handle, asking if allopathy offered permanent relief for ailments.
His remarks had irked the medical fraternity, upsetting both the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Delhi Medical Association (DMA).
The IMA had also lodged a police complaint against Ramdev, seeking an FIR over his "dishonest and wrongful representations" on allopathy.
The IMA had earlier written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding that yoga guru Ramdev be booked immediately under sedition charges for alleged misinformation campaign on vaccination and challenging government protocols for treatment of COVID-19.
The apex medical body of modern doctors has also served a defamation notice on Ramdev for his alleged disparaging remarks against allopathy and allopathic practitioners, demanding an apology from him within 15 days, failing which it said it will demand a compensation of Rs 1,000 crore from the yoga guru.
Even after raising objections to statements by Mr. Ram Kishan Yadav (#RamdevBaba), no action has been taken yet. We are hereby declaring Nationwide #BlackDayProtest on 1st June,2021 at workplace, without hampering healthcare services @ANI @ians_india @MoHFW_INDIA @drharshvardhan pic.twitter.com/nyWlguxomL
— FORDA INDIA (@FordaIndia) May 29, 2021
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
