Banana Republic is defined as a nation characterised by absence of rule of law.

There are sets of rules and regulations which govern appointments of individuals in defined positions and their salaries and perks. When something goes wrong with this for an individual it can be an aberration. When the whole system fails it is an evidence of a much deeper malaise. The issue of nonpayment of salaries of doctors in Hindhu Rao Hospital is a case of systemic failure. Doctors who have served the nation during the corona pandemic deserve appropriate accolades and incentives. It defies logic when they have to resort to roadside agitations to get their legitimate salaries. It is entirely possible that the officials are insensitive to such situations by nature. Retreat of the political class from Governance all across the country seems to be a byproduct of the pandemic. The situation in Hindhu Rao Hospital is by no means isolated. All of us are witness to events across the country.

Indian Medical Association takes serious exception to the unfortunate situation in Hindhu Rao Hospital which is under the management of Delhi Municipal Corporation. It sends a wrong message to the profession and the nation. It demoralises the entire doctor community. If their services are so dispensable during a pandemic something is certainly rotten in the way we are governed. It is a new low in governance.

Good Governance begins with running the services normally. Health care workers especially doctors are a national asset. Humiliation of doctors by denying legitimate salaries is nothing but state sponsored violence.

The Supreme Court of India had specifically directed that salaries of doctors and health care workers should be paid in time. It seems that the writ of the Highest Court of the land does not bind these officials who administer these hospitals. IMA and the medical profession trust that there is adequate reason for the Court to initiate suo moto contempt proceedings against the administration of Hindhu Rao Hospital. Only such a strong response could restore faith in our institutions. IMA demands that the authorities should pay the salaries of the doctors along with the dues immediately.