GMC Anantnag summons 2 MBBS students over stipend hike protest, Medicos association writes to Health Minister

Srinagar: After publicly raising the issue of the low stipend of MBBS and BDS interns across medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir, the Government Medical College, Anantnag, summoned two MBBS students and issued them disciplinary notices for posting videos on social media demanding a stipend hike.

A notice issued by the Registrar Academics of GMC Anantnag, the college administration called a meeting to discuss the "recent incidents of violation of college norms by a few students."

The notice stated that the meeting was scheduled on May 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM under the chairmanship of the college administration. Two students- one of Phase III Part 2 MBBS, and another of Phase III Part 1 MBBS, were directed to report to the office of the Principal-Dean "without fail."

The meeting was also attended by Dr Mehak Mufti, Associate Professor and Head of Physiology, and Mr Muqbil Latief Hussain from the Administrative Office of GMC Anantnag.

This comes after a social media video went viral in which the students raised concerns over the low stipend given to medical interns and alleged that their repeated demands had not been addressed by the authorities.

As per Kashmir Life media report, the students later appeared before the college administration, where they were counselled and advised to focus on their studies. They were also reportedly asked to avoid social media activism.

During the meeting, the administration reportedly objected to the use of inappropriate language by one of the students in the video and sought clarification over some remarks made during the online interaction.

In the video, one of the students spoke about the heavy workload of medical interns and described the stipend paid to them as "peanuts." The student also alleged that the concerns of medical interns in Kashmir were being ignored. He further claimed that interns in many other States receive much higher stipends, while interns in Jammu and Kashmir continue to face neglect.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that despite demanding equal stipend like other states for years and performing the same workload, MBBS and BDS interns in Jammu and Kashmir are still receiving a lower stipend than their counterparts in other states, surviving on around Rs 12,300 per month.

Reacting to the incident, Dr Mohammad Momin Khan from FAIMA Doctors Association, in a statement, said that raising genuine concerns regarding low stipends cannot be treated as a violation or misconduct. He questioned why students demanding their basic rights are allegedly being targeted instead of their concerns being addressed.

"Is asking for a fair stipend a violation of any norm? Medical students are only raising a genuine and long-pending issue related to their welfare and dignity. Such actions create fear among students and discourage them from speaking about important issues affecting the medical fraternity," he said.

FAIMA stated that interns and medical students across Jammu and Kashmir have repeatedly highlighted inadequate stipends and have long sought a fair revision. The association said that instead of initiating dialogue and resolving the issue, any alleged attempt to pressure or intimidate students for peacefully expressing their concerns is deeply unfortunate.

The association further emphasised that doctors and medical students work tirelessly in hospitals under stressful conditions and deserve respect, support, and fair treatment. FAIMA urged the administration and authorities concerned to handle the matter sensitively and ensure that no student faces harassment for peacefully demanding legitimate rights.

Dr Khan also appealed to the administration to focus on resolving the stipend issue through constructive engagement rather than creating an atmosphere where students feel silenced. He reiterated that the medical fraternity stands united in support of students raising genuine welfare concerns through peaceful and democratic means.

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 at Government Medical College Anantnag.

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.

Also read- Rs 12,300 stipend: JnK MBBS, BDS interns await long-pending hike