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AIIMS trying to gag us: Doctors

NEW DELHI: The Progressive Medicos and Scientist Forum, comprising a group of senior doctors and scientists from All-India Institute of Medical Sciences here, have condemned the gag order by the administration stating that efforts to fetter the academic and civic freedom of its faculty was becoming increasingly blatant.

“In an order dated December 30, 2010, the AIIMS administration announced the constitution of a media co-ordination and press release committee to vet all press releases or statements to the press. An order dated December 31, 2010, informed the faculty that joint representations would be tantamount to violation of government directives; while another dated March 7, 2011, warns the faculty that prior intimation/permission is required to hold elective office of any organisation or association,” noted a release issued by the Forum.

Further, this order mentions that “it is, the duty of the government employee who wishes to join any organisation or association to satisfy himself that its activities and objectives are not of such nature as are likely to attract action under any of the provisions of conduct rules”.

The Forum members have noted that the moves by the Institute officials “are abhorrent because academic freedom entails the right of a teacher or student, especially at the college or university level, to discuss or investigate any issue or to express opinions on any topic without interference or fear of penalty or other reprisal from either the university or the government.”

Faculty members

“The AIIMS administration would do well to remember that its faculty members are not merely government servants. As faculty members it's our ethical duty to protest against these draconian measures because they seek to replace the vision of a scientist-in-a-society by that of a scientist-in-a-vacuum,” noted the release.

Meanwhile the Institute spokesperson Dr. Y. P. Gupta said: “The Institute hasn't issued any gag order it has only asked the employees to adhere by the code of conduct .''

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