After addressing the packed auditorium in the AIIMS campus, where the students and faculty expressed solidarity with the director, Venugopal proceeded on leave again. He wrote a letter to Ramadoss, recommending Dr T.D. Dogra’s name as acting director.

Ramadoss said he will seek an explanation from the AIIMS director for going public with his grievances. ‘‘He has to give a satisfactory reply or action will be taken against him,’’ said Ramadoss.

Venugopal, in an exclusive interview to The Indian Express, said he was disturbed by the recent happenings. ‘‘I am disturbed by the humiliation of my faculty, officers, residents, students and staff. As the head of the AIIMS family, it is my duty to ensure the legitimate interests of the institute and its functionaries. If I fail to do so, I won’t hesitate to leave for somebody else to take over,’’ he said.

‘‘I went to the podium not as the director but as part of faculty and part of AIIMS and wanted to know the opinion of my family over the issue,’’ he said.

Remembering his 47-year association with the Institute, he called AIIMS an ‘‘extension of myself.’’ ‘‘I joined the institute as an 18-year-old who grew up with the spirit of research, education and patient care. Unfortunately, the vision was not shared by others who were involved in the decision-making. So the process suffered setbacks,’’ he said.

‘‘Even in day-to-day administration, there was undue interference, flouting even the basic procedures on various occasions. Things were getting out of control. So what I did today was important,’’ said the legendary cardiac surgeon.

... contd.