Doctors shouldn't strike, but can't restrain them: SC

The Supreme Court today refused to pass an order restraining doctors to go on strike but hoped that they do not resort to such action which can jeopardise life of patients.
"Being god's agent, they should not go on strike. We can express our desire. Beyond that, positive directions cannot be issued particularly when we know it would be difficult to implement our order," a bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu said.
The court was hearing a PIL filed by NGO People for Better Treatment pleading that doctors have no ethical, moral or legal right to deny treatment to the ailing citizens by going on strike.

Agreeing with the petitioner, the bench, however, said that it cannot pass direction to restrain doctors from going on strike.
"This is a PIL. Relief sought is commendable but difficult to grant. Therefore, we express our desire that doctors are saviours of life, they should not resort to illegal strikes," it said.
The NGO submitted that while peaceful strike is a basic right in democratic society for employees in most professions, people involved with work pertaining to vital public services cannot go on strike by holding the entire society at ransom.