Madurai Medical College Halts LGBTQIA Event Midway, Sparks Controversy

Chennai: The decision of the Madurai Medical College (MMC) to halt a Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme on the LGBTQIA+ midway has sparked a controversy. 

Apart from the program being stopped by the college officials, allegedly transgenders were also asked to move out of the premises, Edex Live has reported.

Although this move raised eyebrows, as per the medical college hospital official, this was done because discussions were going to be held on two topics by social activists, who lack proper medical knowledge. 

The awareness programme 'Unlocking Understanding an update on LGBTQIA+' was organised on September 28 by the 1984 alumni of the institute at the new academic block at MMC for the medical graduates in the city.

Also Read: Lesbianism 'unnatural sexual offence', transvestism a 'sexual perversion': New MBBS curriculum guidelines draws flak

However, the programme was stopped midway by the college officials citing lack of experts and to avoid "unnecessary controversies", The New Indian Express has reported. Allegedly, the college officials asked the final-year students to move out and prevented the trans people from entering the venue.

Commenting on the matter, Aniyam Foundation Founder Azhaga Jagan informed the Daily that the programme had the participation of the final-year students of the institute and was designed for promoting inclusiveness of LGBTQ+ and it aimed to give insights regarding the recent trend in scientific and medical fields.

"I along with another LGBTQ activist was invited for the session. The posters were designed one month ago, and even they were pasted on the premises of the college. When an LGBTQ activist was about to speak on the dais, an official from MMC intervened and asked us to stop the programme," he told TNIE.

Speaking to the Daily, Social activist Anand Raj informed that the programme was purely aimed at spreading awareness. He added, "Many such events are organised in arts and science colleges in Madurai. But we are upset as the programme was abruptly stopped by MMC officials, and the students, who willingly registered for the event were barred."

Dr. Xavier Selva Suresh, Alumni (1984 batch) organising secretary informed that it is common for each medical batch to organise a monthly programme for the year-long event.

"Since, our batch got permission to conduct the programme this year. We got permission from former GRH dean Dr Rathinavel for the events, booked the hall and paid for the event. All final year medical students willfully participated in the event. During the meet, Dr T Rajasundari and Dr RM Sathish Kumar spoke about LGBTQ and their problems before the programme was stopped. We feel sad that even medical officers don’t understanding the problems and issues of LGBTQIA," he said.

"Seminars on various topics to widen students’ knowledge on medicine field were conducted. Accordingly, to give them an understanding of the complications of understanding LGBTQIA+ and medical procedures related to the community, this programme was planned," he informed The Hindu.

Insisting that the event was held only after getting prior permission from the college authorities, he added, "For unknown reasons, earlier this week, upon the instruction of Madurai Medical College Dean (Full Additional Charge) V. Selvarani, MBBS students who registered for the event were instructed by the authorities not to attend the event."

After getting to know this, the members of the alumni association again sought permission from Dr. Selvarani to permit the seminar. After this, she instructed that only final year MBBS students may attend the event. However, meanwhile, the event started with the guests on board as per the invitation. Consequently, the students were asked to leave the hall.

"The reason cited was that non-medical professionals were invited for the seminar," he mentioned, adding that the officials argued that the activists were not allowed to address the students.

Needlessly Controversies are being Created, Claims College: 

Meanwhile, the medical college has justified its stand by pointing out that the programme was stopped because social activists, who do not have proper medical knowledge, were going to talk about two topics.

Commenting on this, Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) Dean (incharge) Dr C Selvarani told TNIE, "We gave permission to conduct the event as it was part of medical education, but objected on two topics from social activists as they weren't having proper medical knowledge. This could create needless controversies in our premises."

"Earlier, the organisers accepted our terms. But during the event, the organisers violated our conditions and allowed social activists in the dais. This cannot be accepted. So, after the physicians delivered their lecturers, we asked students to move out of the auditorium. But some are needlessly creating controversies," she added, as quoted by Edex Live.

However, Dr. Savior clarified that out of the five speakers, three were doctors of psychiatry, urology and general medicine and the other two were researchers and activists associated closely with the community members in the welfare and their development.

"The purpose of inviting them was to give the students a humanistic perspective about the community members as they would have to work closely with them as a medical profession. We did not find any mistake in inviting them as it is not going to misguide the students in anyway...The authorities should not prevent the students from learning new things," he further mentioned.

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