Amritsar, May 20 (K.L. Jit Walia) – Amid an ongoing dispute between two groups of chemists in Amritsar, the call for shutting medical stores on May 20 proved completely ineffective. Most wholesale and retail medicine shops across the city remained open and operated normally, ensuring that the public and patients faced no inconvenience.
According to reports, one faction had appealed to chemists to close their shops, while the opposing group openly rejected the strike call and urged all medical stores to remain operational. Leaders of the second faction alleged that certain mischievous elements attempted to disturb the atmosphere by forcibly promoting the shutdown.
Speaking to the media, Wholesale Chemist Association President Rajkumar Sharma, Vice Chairman T.S. Bawa, Bharti Medical Cell President Maninder Dutta, District Chemist Association President Vishal Devraj, along with other association members, stated that chemist shops in major city areas, rural regions, and near government hospitals were all functioning normally. They added that no chemist faced pressure or harassment regarding the strike.
The leaders further alleged that some individuals clicked photographs of closed shutters early in the morning before markets opened and circulated them on social media to falsely create the impression that the strike was successful. They clarified that the market usually opens around 11 a.m., while the viral photographs were reportedly taken around 8 a.m.
Business leaders said the strike was called due to certain personal interests and had nothing to do with the larger welfare of the chemist community. They claimed that traders are now becoming more aware and are refusing to be misled by such propaganda.
Young chemist leaders also shared their views, stating that chemists must prepare themselves to face challenges from new technology and online pharmacies. They emphasized that strikes and shutdowns are not the solution, but adapting to modern systems and updated practices is necessary.
In conclusion, trade leaders made it clear that they do not support any future shutdown calls and said their priority is to ensure that the public receives accurate information.
KL JIT WALIA
