Charak Shapath row: Madurai medical college dean ousted

MADURAI: A day after the 'Maharshi Charak Shapath' oath was administered to first year MBBS students at Madurai Medical College instead of the Hippocratic oath at the white coat ceremony, college dean Dr A Rathinavel was relieved of his post on Sunday and placed under 'vacancy reserve' waitlist. A departmental inquiry has also been initiated by the health department.
The government said in a statement that for decades only the Hippocratic oath was administered to all medical students and doctors in government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu. Vice-principal Dr V Dhanalakshmi is to take over as the dean temporarily as additional charge. Meanwhile, Madurai MP Su Venkatesan condemned the administration of Charak Shapath.
'Charak Shapath' is regressive: A Ramadoss
According to the statement, a departmental inquiry has been initiated to probe the violation of protocol on the directions of Director of Medical Education (DME) Dr R Narayanababu and state health minister Ma Subramanian. Vice-principal Dr V Dhanalakshmi is to take over the duties of the dean temporarily as additional charge.
The health department noted that a circular has also been issued by the DME to all government medical colleges directing them to follow only the Hippocratic oath in future. Meanwhile, various political leaders have come out against the incident. "It is shocking to see what happened in Madurai Medical College. The Union government is trying to impose Sanskrit in such ways and it is condemnable that this was brought into practice," he said in a post on social media.
"Hippocrates had wanted doctors to show wisdom, kindness and compassion when treating patients and this universally became an oath taken by medical Students. But, the 'Charak Shapath' oath is regressive in many ways," said PMK leader Dr Anbumani Ramadoss. Though National Medical Commission (NMC) had only recommended the new oath, its administration will affect the mindset of students.
A thorough probe into the incident is needed, he added.