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By Karen
Hambridge, Evening Telegraph
Supporters of suspended heart consultant Raj Mattu are using a major Sikh festival in Coventry as a platform to highlight his plight.
Hundreds of people from across the world are expected to attend the Nagar Kirtan procession this Sunday.
Leaders of the Sikh community who are sympathetic to Dr Mattu's cause have arranged a mass meeting after the for Vaisakhi parade, which celebrates the creation of the Khalsa, an order of the Sikh religion.
It is due to take place from around 5pm at the Ravidassia Community Centre in Jesmond Road, Coventry.
Brian King, a member of the Raj Mattu Reinstatement Committee, said: "The meeting has been arranged by leaders of the Sikh community.
"Dr Mattu has a lot of support from community organisations and temples and there is a lot of anger over his continued suspension."
Dr Mattu, a cardiologist whose work involves looking at the state and function of patients' hearts, has not been allowed to work since February 21.
He was suspended by bosses at Walsgrave Hospital after allegations of harassment and intimidation.
Coventry North-West MP Geoffrey Robinson told Parliament last month that Dr Mattu had been marched out of Walsgrave and staff had changed the locks on his office and impounded his computer.
Supporters are wary of claims made by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust over the suspension, fearing Dr Mattu has been singled out because of his outspoken views on patient care.
Dr Mattu criticised the trust publicly at the time of the Commission for Health Improvement report last September for putting five patients in bays designed to accommodate four.
The practice was highlighted as unsafe by CHI and it was stopped.
Supporters feel the suspension has echoes of the case of consultant Alban Barros D'Sa, who was suspended on similar grounds after he publicised high death rates in bowel surgery.
Mr Barros D'sa was finally reinstated in July 2001 after being suspended for 21 months following accusations of oppression.
The meeting on Sunday follows a major gathering at the Jagat Valmikji Maharaj temple in Fisher Road, Coventry.
