Students questioned after highlighting issue of low intern stipends on social media
Srinagar, May 20:
Government Medical College Anantnag has summoned two MBBS students after they publicly raised the long-pending demand for enhancement of stipends for MBBS and BDS interns, triggering criticism from medical student bodies across Jammu and Kashmir.
According to an official notice issued by the college administration on May 18, the students were directed to appear before the office of the Principal-cum-Dean in connection with the alleged “violation of college norms.”
The notice stated that a meeting had been convened to discuss the “recent incidents involving violation of college norms by certain students of the institute.”
The students summoned were identified as Aadil Mohammad Kumar, a student of MBBS Phase III Part-II, and Sahil Nagori, a student of MBBS Phase III Part-I.
Sources said the action followed the circulation of a social media video in which the students highlighted the issue of low stipends for medical interns and alleged that authorities had failed to address their repeated demands.
The students later appeared before the college administration, where they were counselled and reportedly advised to focus on academics and work towards becoming “good doctors to serve the people.”
Sources said the students were also advised to refrain from social media activism and concentrate on their studies.
According to sources, the administration objected to the alleged use of “inappropriate language” by one of the students in the video and sought clarification regarding certain remarks made during the online interaction.
In the video, one of the students highlighted the workload of medical interns and described the stipend being paid to them as “peanuts,” while alleging that the concerns and rights of medical interns in Kashmir were being ignored.
The student further claimed that interns in several other States receive comparatively higher stipends, whereas medical interns in Jammu and Kashmir continue to face neglect.
Meanwhile, the move has drawn sharp criticism from various medical student groups, with the J&K Medical Students Association strongly condemning the notice issued to the students.
The association termed the action as “unjust targeting” of students for raising genuine concerns and maintained that medical students work tirelessly on the frontlines of healthcare services.
JKMSA said that demanding fair compensation for interns is a legitimate right and not an act of indiscipline.
The association urged the GMC Anantnag administration to address the pending issue of stipend enhancement instead of “silencing future doctors.” (KNC)