Shillong, Sept 7: The Association of Meghalaya Medical Students, RIMS Imphal, has rejected the demand of the NPP youth wing, ( National People’s Youth Front (NPYF), for a student to apologise for his comments on Tura Medical College
In a statement issued on Sunday, the members of the Association of Meghalaya Medical Students, RIMS, Imphal, rejected the statement of condemnation issued by the NPYF on September 4 targeting a medical student who voiced legitimate concerns during the recent deliberations on the proposed PPP (Public Private Partnership) model of management for the upcoming Tura Medical at Tura Circuit House, August 29.
“Under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, every citizen has the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression. As students, we exercised this Right in raising concerns on the PPP model of management proposed for the upcoming Tura Medical College. To term such participation as “disruptive” is an unjust attempt to silence democratic voices”, he added.
The secretary of the Association, Balgrik M Sangma, said Article 21 guarantees ‘our Right to Life and Liberty, which inherently includes the right to freely engage in discussions that directly affect our future and the healthcare of the state. We, therefore, reject any demand for an “unconditional apology” since expressing views in a democratic forum constitutes neither insult nor misconduct but rather a constitutional right and duty.
