New Delhi: A crucial meeting of the apex decision-making body of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the nerve centre of the anti-quota agitation, is scheduled for Wednesday in which the ouster of its Director P Venugopal, locked in a war of words with Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, is likely to figure.
This is for the first time that Ramadoss and Venugopal will come face-to-face after a month-long standoff over the anti-quota stir that had paralysed medical services in the premier institute.
Though the agenda of the 17-member institute body is to discuss 'administrative matters like promotions, grants for early retirements, appointments', the issue of the removal of Venugopal may also figure at the meeting, ministry sources said.
That the meeting could generate some heat was evident when senior BJP leader V K Malhotra, a member of the institute body, said that he would oppose 'tooth and nail' any move to remove the institute director.
"It is a question of autonomy of the premier institute. Any move to remove Venugopal, a renowned surgeon, would be unwise," he said.
AIIMS faculty, resident doctors, students union and the employees' union closed ranks and came out in support of Venugopal.
Condemning the alleged interference of the Health Minister in the autonomy of the institute, they said they stood united with the Director and support him in his endeavour to preserve the autonomy and excellence of the institute.
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