Madhya Pradesh medical interns protest for stipend hike

Medical interns in Madhya Pradesh have staged widespread protests, primarily in Bhopal, demanding an increase in their monthly stipend from approximately ₹14,337 to ₹30,000. The agitation has impacted outpatient department (OPD) services at several government hospitals, including Hamidia Hospital, as doctors boycotted duties.

The protests escalated following police intervention during a march toward the Chief Minister’s residence, where authorities reportedly used water cannons and lathi charges to disperse the crowd. This led to injuries among some interns and sparked further outrage, with protesters demanding an inquiry into the police conduct and compensation for those harmed.

Following discussions between intern representatives and Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, a tentative agreement has been reached to increase the monthly stipend to ₹21,500. While this provides a potential resolution to the dispute, protesters have noted they are awaiting a formal written order from the government to confirm the hike and its implementation date.