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New Delhi, June 3, 2025 — Faculty members from two of India’s leading medical institutions, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, have begun a joint relay hunger strike. The protest, which started on June 1, is a response to the government’s continued delay in implementing the long-promised rotatory headship and collegium-based leadership system.
The hunger strike, now in its second day, was formally launched with a public gathering outside the JLN Auditorium at AIIMS New Delhi. Faculty members, under the banner “Hunger for Justice — Relay for Change,” are demanding the immediate rollout of reforms they say are critical for fair, transparent, and democratic academic governance.
Background and Demands
The rotatory headship policy, aimed at ensuring leadership roles are rotated among faculty rather than concentrated, was officially directed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2023. The ministry had set a June 2024 deadline for implementation. However, despite repeated assurances and the formation of several committees, including a high-level panel led by Dr. VK Paul of NITI Aayog, the policy remains unimplemented.
Faculty associations from both institutions—the Faculty Association of AIIMS (FAIMS) and the Faculty Association of PGIMER—have been advocating for rotatory headship for over a decade. They argue that the system is necessary to prevent power from stagnating in a few hands and to promote institutional democracy and fairness. “This is not just about headship. It’s about institutional democracy, fairness, and ensuring that power doesn’t stagnate in a few hands,” a senior FAIMS member stated.
Previous Protests and Government Response
Prior to the hunger strike, faculty members launched a month-long black badge campaign beginning May 1, 2025, to protest the lack of action. Despite these efforts and the recommendations of multiple government panels, no concrete steps have been taken, fueling further frustration among the faculty.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has reportedly called for a meeting with the high-level committee to address the issue, but faculty members insist that only a time-bound implementation roadmap will end their protest.
The Way Forward
The joint statement from FAIMS and the PGIMER Faculty Association emphasizes that their protest is intended as a constructive call for reform, not confrontation. The hunger strike will continue until the government commits to a clear timeline for implementing the rotatory headship policy.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information reported by Medical Dialogues as of June 3, 2025. Details may evolve as the situation develops, and readers are encouraged to consult official sources for the latest updates.
