Bhopal: Irked over news published in a section of media, JUDA told Free Press on Monday that it called off its strike only on the basis of High Court’s (HC) intervention. It is now planning to file a defamation suit against Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) RS Julania for allegedly creating confusion on the news, which has caused disrepute to the doctor’s body.
JUDA state president Dr Sachet Saxena said, “A section of media has published news that we have apologised for our strike. It is not true. After intervention of HC in our matter, we arrived at a consensus that HC took cognisance in our matter. So we called off strike. We then sent a letter to ACS stating the same reason. But unfortunately, a section of media published its distorted form. It has hurt us a lot. We are seriously considering filing a defamation suit against ACS making him responsible for it.”
Tussle for one-upmanship between JUDA and ACS is likely to get intensified in MP in coming days. In fact, JUDA has dubbed news regarding apology as insulting and humiliating for it. JUDA said that there is no ground for an apology on its part as the strike was for genuine demands—hike in stipend, proper sanitation and canteen and accommodation.
JUDA was on strike in all the five government medical colleges of state. HC also intervened into matter and ordered JUDA to join the duty as medical services in hospitals were severely affected. Government too had assured JUDA for sympathetically considering demands. It insisted that JUDA affiliates should join duty first and then a dialogue would be initiated for fulfillment of demands. On July 27, JUDA called off the strike and communicated about it to ACS Julania in its letter.
