Demanding jobs without merit is a disservice to tribes & nation

Editor,

It is deeply concerning and highly unfortunate that an esteemed institution like the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) had its administrative functioning brought to a halt by a disruptive protest staged by the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC). While the right to voice dissent is enshrined in our democratic ethos, forcibly closing down a hospital office—especially one serving as a lifeline to thousands—is not just irresponsible but borders on being inhumane.

NEIGRIHMS is not merely an administrative hub; it is a critical healthcare institution catering to the medical needs of people across the Northeast. To interfere with its operations, particularly in these fragile times, is not just a law-and-order issue—it is a direct affront to the right to the health and well-being of patients. Hospitals, as the Chief Minister rightly stated, are off-limits even during wars. That sanctity must be upheld at all costs.

Coming to the issue raised by HYC—reservation in job appointments—the question that begs to be asked is: how long will we continue to place entitlement over competence in life-critical sectors such as healthcare? In a digitized, highly competitive global environment, especially in the medical field where lives hang in the balance, skills, merit and performance must take precedence over identity politics.

If the complaint is about the substandard performance of male nurses from outside the state, then the solution lies in raising the bar for recruitment, not in diluting standards further through demands for quota-based appointments. The demand to simply fulfill a numerical reservation without examining the competence and suitability of the candidates is not only myopic but potentially dangerous. A hospital is not a political arena—it is a place where only the most skilled, compassionate, and dedicated should serve.

The repeated argument of under-representation must also come with a self-reflective question: are we, as a community, investing enough in skill development, professional education, and upskilling to compete in national-level institutions?

Blaming others for our lack of preparedness is a regressive and unsustainable approach. Instead of politicizing appointments, efforts should be focused on empowering youth with the tools, exposure, and mindset to excel—without depending solely on quotas.

Let it be clear: a job in healthcare must never be treated as a birthright—it must be earned. The people of Meghalaya deserve excellent medical care, and that can only come from capable professionals, not from quota-filling exercises.

While grievances can and should be addressed through dialogue, blackmailing a public institution through intimidation is not the way forward. The sanctity of NEIGRIHMS must be protected, and any act that seeks to undermine it must be met with the full weight of the law.

The future of Meghalaya lies not in insular demands but in rising above identity to embrace excellence. Let us focus on building capable professionals, not entitled protesters.

Yours etc.

A concerned citizen