The probe ordered police action against protesting Bhopal internists

Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar ordered an inquiry a day after at least four in-house MBBS doctors sustained injuries due to water cannons being used on them during their protest at the government Gandhi Medical College (GMC) campus to demand an increase in their stipends.

On Monday (September 7, 2026), hundreds of GMC trainees in Bhopal protested at their campus against their long-standing demand that their stipend be increased from the current ₹14,437 to ₹30,000. However, while planning a march to the Chief Minister’s residence, the police used water cannons on the protesters, pictures of which appeared on the Internet.

The protesters also alleged that when they continued their march later in the day, the police also resorted to baton attack on them near the campus. The march was halted less than 2 kilometers from the CM’s house, prompting them to launch a sit-in at the site.

The sit-in in Bhopal’s Kamla Park area continued overnight and on Tuesday (September 8), even as they boycotted OPD and routine operation (OT) services, while emergency services remained operational. Services at Gajra Raja Medical College in Gwalior were also suspended in support of the protest.

Four interns were injured during the police action

Speaking to The Hindu, Siddhartha Kumar Rai, a college student of the Young Doctors Association (JDA) president’s wing, Madhya Pradesh, said that at least four trainees were seriously injured in the police action, including one person who suffered a broken hand and another eye injury.

“It was a completely peaceful protest inside the campus, but still the interns, who perform 36-hour duties and contribute the most to handling the heavy patient load in government hospitals, were treated like fools by the police. They even targeted the female interns who were standing on the side,” he said.

Meanwhile, various bodies of other doctors in the state also supported the protests by the trainees and condemned the police action.

Mr. Rai said that unless written assurance is given by Tuesday evening, the JDA and various other bodies will boycott medical services across the state from Wednesday (September 9).

Dr. Kavita N. Singh, Dean and Director General, GMC, Bhopal, also criticized the use of force in a letter to Commissioner Kumar, seeking an inquiry into the matter and action against the officials responsible.

“A water cannon and baton charge was used on interns at the emergency gate injuring two students.

Such conduct against student interns on the hospital premises without prior notice is completely inappropriate,” she wrote.

In the order, Mr Kumar said the matter was brought to the attention of Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla and that Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Zone 2, Vikas Sahwal was appointed to conduct an “impartial inquiry into the entire incident”.

“Deputy Chief Minister Shri Rajendra Shukla brought to the notice that during the protest of the intern doctors in Bhopal on September 7, 2026, the police sprayed water using a water cannon near the gate of Hamidia Hospital due to which some doctors were injured,” the order said.

Mr. Rai also claimed that Madhya Pradesh was ranked 28th in the country in terms of stipends given to MBBS trainees after Uttar Pradesh increased the amount from ₹12,000 to ₹25,000 in August.

“But when it comes to MBBS fee in government colleges, we are at the third position with around ₹1.15 lakh. How fair is that,” he asked.

Meanwhile, Mr. Shukla also met senior officials and management of the GMC to discuss the issue and the demand of the trainees and said that a solution would be reached soon.

“I am aware of the issue raised by interns in Bhopal regarding stipend hike. Expectations and issues of junior doctors in the state are being taken seriously. I am in constant touch with intern representatives on this matter,” he wrote on X.

“Our effort is to engage in positive discussions with all parties and arrive at an appropriate and practical solution to this issue. Young doctors play a vital role in strengthening the health services of the state, and the government is sensitive to their legitimate expectations. After discussions and necessary considerations, appropriate and necessary decisions will be taken in this regard,” he added.

Published – 9 Sep 2026 02:36 IST