In a significant development, a joint committee representing teachers, resident doctors, nursing staff, and employees at King George's Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow has decided to postpone its planned boycott of Outpatient Department (OPD) services. This decision came on Tuesday after the committee received firm assurances of action from the additional chief secretary (home) concerning the disruptive events that unfolded at the Vice Chancellor's office on January 9.
Assurances Lead to Postponement
The proposed boycott was initially called to protest several serious issues. These included alleged acts of vandalism on the campus, reports of misbehavior with women, and significant delays in registering a First Information Report (FIR) related to the incident. The collective action aimed to draw immediate attention to these grievances and demand swift justice.
Key Meeting with Authorities
Professor Santosh Kumar, who serves as the general secretary of the KGMU Teachers' Association, provided detailed insights into the recent discussions. He confirmed that the Vice Chancellor personally met with the additional chief secretary (home) to address the matter. During this crucial meeting, the university authorities submitted compelling video footage and other substantial evidence directly linked to the January 9 ruckus.
The additional chief secretary responded by giving clear assurances that appropriate action would be taken based on the evidence presented. This commitment played a pivotal role in the committee's decision to temporarily halt the boycott call.
Conditional Postponement
However, Professor Kumar emphasized that the postponement is not indefinite. He stated explicitly that no specific date has been set for potentially reviving the boycott. The committee's decision to suspend the action is entirely conditional upon the government following through with its promised measures.
"We decided to postpone the boycott call following this assurance," Professor Kumar explained. "But let me be clear: if the necessary action is not taken, we are prepared to resume our protest. No date has been fixed yet for that possibility, but we are monitoring the situation closely."
This stance underscores the committee's determination to ensure accountability while giving the authorities a reasonable opportunity to address their concerns. The situation remains fluid, with all parties watching for concrete steps from the government in the coming days.
