The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, hearing a petition filed by All Tamil Nadu Acupuncture and Alternative Medical Association Trust, directed that qualified and certified persons be permitted to practice acupuncture and other systems of medicine.
A single judge bench of Justice S.S.Sundar directed that when such practitioners were enquired by the Director General of Police, Registrar of Tamil Nadu Siddha Medicine Council or any other police officials, members of the association could show the degree or certificates obtained to prove their credentials.
The petitioner, S. Mohamed Sabir, president of the association, had filed the petition after the members were allegedly threatened by the police to stop their acupuncture practice. The police were taking action against quacks, following complaints from the public.
The petitioner said the association was protecting and promoting alternative systems of medicine such as acupuncture.
The members were qualified practitioners of acupuncture. They had obtained valid degrees and diplomas from recognised universities for practising acupuncture, he said.
Allopathy or any other system of medicine involving administration of drugs or treatment similar to allopathy were not practised by the members. Even World Health Organisation had passed resolutions for research in alternative and traditional medicines, said the petitioner.
