L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

It’s time for Ramadoss to resign

I read the editorial, “V for Venugopal: A loss of face for UPA Govt (May 9). Parliament has, undoubtedly, got an unfettered power to enact laws. Laws, however, must be passed for the good of society at large. When a legislation has been passed with a view to targeting a particular individual with a discriminatory approach, it is a bad law and hence unconstitutional and null and void. The Supreme Court has rightly struck down the AIIMS (Amendment) Act which was passed to fix the age of the AIIMS Director at 65 years to superannuate Dr Venugopal earlier than the expiry of his tenure as per his appointment (as Director). The credibility of the judiciary has been established. Union Health Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss should take the responsibility for the whole episode and resign forthwith.

Another question raised by the editorial is the autonomy of the institute vis-à-vis the ministerial control, Obviously, due regard for the ministerial control not impinging on the autonomy of the institute should be maintained. No objection should be made for appropriate administrative control of the powers that be.

G. R. KALRA, Chandigarh

II

Every Indian should salute the Supreme Court for striking down the AIIMS (Amendment) Act 2006 as unconstitutional and reinstating the eminent cardiologist Dr P. Venugopal as the AIIMS Director.

Any cadre at any level in the government carrying personal vendetta and caste and hostile discrimination should be outrightly rejected and dismissed. Moral ethics demands that the Health Minister should gracefully admit his outrageous and highly unusual action and quit the office decently.

K. K. ARORA, Amritsar

III

The apex court verdict in the case of Dr P. Venugopal has come as a great relief to all the right-thinking people. It is sad that politicians are bent on ruining the premier medical institutions when the eminent doctors heading these institutions refuse to dance to the tune of the politicians and do not comply with their illegal orders and demands.

Dr P. N. Chhuttani, Dr J. S. Neki and Dr S.K. Sharma, successive directors of PGI, Chandigarh, became victims of the politicians’ whims. Dr P. L. Wahi was also about to be shown the door had I not played the humble role of bringing the correct facts to the notice of the then Union Health Minister.

It is time Dr Anbumani Ramadoss resigned on his own. If he does not, the Prime Minister should sack him. If the Prime Minister lacks the guts to dismiss Dr Ramadoss, the Prime Minister should himself resign taking moral responsibility for the enactment of the AIIMS (Amendment) Act quashed by the Supreme Court. Needless to say, it is the patients and the institution that has suffered most during the forced retirement of eminent heart surgeon Dr P. Venugopal.

O. P. SHARDA, Chandigarh

IV

It’s really heartening that justice has prevailed at last in the case of eminent cardiologist Dr P. Venugopal. The Supreme Court has delivered a bold verdict. Unconstitutional, unwanted and illogical amendments of Acts and laws for narrow gains will prove suicidal for the country.

Dr SUNIL CHOPRA, Ludhiana

V

Satyamave Jayate. Truth always prevails. By quashing the controversial AIIMS Act, the Supreme Court has demonstrated its supremacy over Parliament. It is the vindictive and mala fide attitude of the Union Health Minister that forced the Centre to behave in an unlawful manner. Yes, Parliament was used to ease out an individual. A renowned doctor was humiliated without any logic.

The historic judgement is a indeed a slap on the face of the UPA Government at the Centre. The only face-saving act now can be Dr Ramdoss’ resignation on moral grounds. The judgement will strengthen people’s faith in the judiciary.

ANITA KATARIA, Patiala

Terror in Jaipur

We have a long way to go to eliminate terror. It was painful to watch some people behaving rather idiotically soon after the terror struck at Jaipur. Of course, the live coverage of the events enabled the people to know about the scale of the attack and the loss of precious lives.

The Rajasthan government had declared a day of mourning. What a better way for these citizens to show their solidarity with those killed in the serial bomb blast, their kin and the severely injured fellow citizens!

B.K. CHAUDHARI,Worcestershire (UK)