A hunger strike by medical interns across Jammu & Kashmir entered its second day on Tuesday, 8 September, with protesters vowing to hold their ground until the government issues a formal written order raising their monthly stipend from ₹12,300 to ₹30,000. The agitation, now in its second week, involves interns from 10 Government Medical Colleges and two dental colleges across the Union Territory.

What the Interns Are Demanding

The protesting interns argue that their stipend has remained frozen at ₹12,300 since 2018, despite a significant rise in the cost of living. They are seeking an immediate enhancement to ₹30,000 per month and have made clear that verbal assurances from the administration are no longer acceptable — only a formal government order will end the strike.

Notably, Government Order No. 538-JK(HME), issued in June 2023, had already recommended raising the stipend from the 2019 rate of ₹12,300 to ₹25,000. The interns contend that even this earlier recommendation has not been implemented, compounding their frustration and lending credibility to their demand for a binding written directive.

Political Pressure Mounts

People's Democratic Party (PDP) legislator from Budgam, Syed Aga Muntazir Mehdi, joined the protesting interns on Tuesday, telling reporters that the prolonged agitation reflects poorly on the Union Territory administration's priorities. His presence signals that the dispute is beginning to draw political attention beyond the health sector.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, speaking on Monday, acknowledged that the matter should have been resolved earlier and conceded that the continuing strike was disrupting the interns' work and training. His remarks stopped short of announcing any concrete action.

Government's Response So Far

A meeting between intern representatives and Health Minister Sakina Itoo preceded the hunger strike's escalation, but interns rejected the assurances offered as insufficient. Minister Itoo appealed to the interns to return to their duties, stressing that patient care must not be compromised. A fresh round of talks between intern representatives and the Health Minister was scheduled for Tuesday in an effort to break the deadlock.

Impact on J&K's Healthcare System

The stakes are considerable. Medical interns are a critical component of J&K's public healthcare delivery, staffing outpatient departments, operation theatres, emergency wards, and general hospital floors. Hospitals across the UT have been reporting an acute staff shortage for over a week since the interns withdrew from duties, raising concerns about patient care in an already resource-constrained system.

This is not the first time J&K's medical interns have raised the stipend issue — the unimplemented 2023 government order suggests a pattern of delayed follow-through on administrative commitments. With talks continuing and political voices joining the chorus, pressure on the UT government to issue a formal order is intensifying.