JKMSA seeks Health Minister JP Nadda’s intervention over action against GMC Anantnag interns demanding stipend hike

Srinagar, May 19: The Jammu and Kashmir Medical Students Association (JKMSA), the official medical wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, on Tuesday sought the intervention of Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda while expressing deep concern and strongly condemning the alleged summoning and issuance of disciplinary notices to MBBS interns and junior doctors at Government Medical College Anantnag for peacefully raising their legitimate demand regarding enhancement of stipend for medical interns in Jammu & Kashmir.

In a statement, President of JKMSA, Dr. Wasim Khan, said it is deeply unfortunate that young medical professionals, who tirelessly serve patients and remain at the forefront of healthcare delivery under immense academic, physical, and psychological pressure, are allegedly being subjected to intimidation and disciplinary proceedings merely for voicing genuine concerns related to inadequate stipends, excessive workload, long duty hours, and difficult working conditions.

He said that medical interns, postgraduate residents, and junior doctors form the backbone of the healthcare system and dedicate countless hours to patient care and hospital services, often working beyond prescribed duty hours in extremely demanding circumstances. Raising concerns regarding fair compensation, humane working conditions, and professional dignity, he said, cannot be treated as misconduct or indiscipline, but is a legitimate, democratic, and constitutional right.

Dr Khan emphasised that the students had reportedly made a peaceful video highlighting their demand for stipend enhancement and that such expression should not attract punitive action or coercive measures. He said that instead of summoning students and doctors for allegedly violating institutional norms, constructive dialogue and empathetic engagement would have been a far more appropriate and effective way of addressing their grievances.

The association said it fails to understand how peacefully demanding a rightful stipend hike amounts to violating college norms. “Did the students disrespect anyone? Did they violate any law or constitutional principle? If not, then targeting students and young doctors for peacefully expressing their concerns creates an atmosphere of fear and suppression within educational and medical institutions,” the statement said. JKMSA further stated that a healthy and efficient healthcare system depends upon a motivated, respected, and adequately supported medical workforce. Suppressing genuine grievances through notices and intimidation, it said, only demoralises future healthcare professionals and discourages them from speaking about systemic issues affecting the healthcare sector. The association urged the administration of Government Medical College Anantnag and the Jammu & Kashmir Government to immediately withdraw any notices or summons issued against the students and ensure that no punitive action is taken against any intern or junior doctor for peacefully raising their concerns.