Siddha Medicine’s Development Would Benefit Mankind: Madras HC Lauds State Govt For Initiating Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical University Act
The Madras High Court lauded the State Government’s efforts for enacting the Tamil Nadu Siddha Medical University Act, 2022 as its development would benefit mankind.
The Court directed the Government to find a suitable place near the Western Ghats to establish the Siddha University where the Siddha system had actually blossomed. The Court noted that although the Government had established a separate Department for Indian Medicine and Homeopathy in the year 1970, there was no proper research or research facility available for Siddha medicine.
A Division Bench of Justice S.S. Sundar and Justice B. Pugalendhi observed, “Though the Siddha College at Palayamkottai is in existence from the year 1964, it has not achieved anything other than producing some graduates…The fact remains that even after 75 years of independence, we have not conducted any clinical trial and got recognized / approved in this system of medicine. For want of adequate research, our system of Medicine is not getting required audience at the international level.”
AAG Veera Kathiravan represented the petitioners.
The Government had filed a modification petition to alter the Court's order which prohibited the demolition and construction of new buildings at the Government Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai, until they established a University for Indian Medicine at Chettikulam or elsewhere.
The Siddha Medical College at Palayamkottai lacked the required infrastructure, including land and facilities like a herbal garden, due to which there were student protests. The Government had proposed establishing a separate University for Indian Medicine in 2004 but has not taken concrete steps towards it. Despite funds being allocated for infrastructure development, no progress was made, prompting a former student to file a public interest litigation.
The Court had earlier directed the Government to establish the university but, instead, it attempted to renovate the existing building. Now, the Government sought to modify the order to allow demolition and renovation.
The Court held that “any further spending of money in the existing place would not serve the purpose for which the College was established.”
“The College has to be established in the original place at Courtallam or at the place which was initially identified for Siddha University at Chettikulam, which meets the present norm requirements and also have sufficient scope for future expansion as well,” the Court remarked.
The Court discussed the inadequacy of the existing infrastructure at the Siddha College in Palayamkottai, which fell short of meeting the prescribed standards. Despite past refusals of permission due to these deficiencies, the Court observed continued operations at the temporary location, highlighting the need for proper facilities to ensure quality education and research in Siddha medicine.
Accordingly, the High Court dismissed the petition.
Cause Title: The Government of Tamil Nadu & Ors. v. Dr. S. Vijay Vikraman & Ors.
Appearance:
Petitioners: AAG Veera Kathiravan and GP P. Thilak Kumar
