In a powerful symbolic gesture, students of the Government Ayurvedic and Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur have escalated their ongoing agitation by mailing their white coats directly to the state's Health Minister. This act underscores their deepening frustration over the government's inaction on a series of long-pending demands.
White Coats Sent via Speed Post
On Monday, the protesting students dispatched their iconic white coats to Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling through speed post. This move marks a significant intensification of their protest, which began on November 6. The students have vowed not to wear the coats, a universal symbol of medical service and learning, until their grievances are addressed.
Ayushman Mishra, a member of the All Odisha Ayush Students' Association, made their stance clear. "We will not wear the white coats till the govt fulfils our demands," he stated, highlighting the seriousness of their campaign.
Core Demands: Stipend Parity and Career Opportunities
The students' agitation revolves around an eight-point charter of demands. The primary issues include the provision of a dynamic stipend at par with MBBS students, which is a major point of contention regarding equity in medical education.
Furthermore, the protesters are pushing for the creation of dedicated Ayush posts within the state's healthcare system. They claim that the government has not appointed any Ayush officer in the last 25 years, severely limiting career prospects for graduates.
Another critical demand is the increase in post-graduate (PG) seats in ayurvedic and homeopathic colleges. Student leaders point out a stark imbalance: while 350-400 undergraduate (UG) students pass out every year, there are only a handful of PG seats available, creating a bottleneck for advanced education.
Government Response and the Path Forward
The protest has drawn attention from state authorities. A senior officer acknowledged the situation and indicated that the government would take a decision soon on their demands. This statement offers a glimmer of hope to the demonstrating students, who await concrete action rather than assurances.
The act of mailing the white coats is more than a protest; it is a poignant return of the symbol of their profession to the authorities, signaling that their training and service cannot continue under what they perceive as neglectful conditions. The coming days will be crucial to see if this intensified agitation leads to the resolution they seek.
