SRINAGAR: MLA Budgam Aga Muntazir Mehdi has called on the Jammu and Kashmir Government to urgently engage with MBBS and BDS interns observing a hunger strike over their demands, saying their concerns should be addressed through dialogue rather than confrontation.
Muntazir made the remarks during a visit to JVC Hospital, where he expressed solidarity with the protesting interns and highlighted their role in the healthcare system, particularly in government hospitals.
He said interns form an important part of the clinical workforce and their services directly support patients, including families unable to afford treatment outside Jammu and Kashmir.
“The services rendered by our interns directly benefit ordinary patients, particularly families who cannot afford treatment outside Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, adding that their contribution helps strengthen access to healthcare within the region.
Muntazir said the internship period was demanding for young doctors because of long clinical hours, heavy patient loads and the pressures associated with working in public hospitals.
He expressed concern that medical graduates had been driven to hunger strike to press their demands, saying their grievances should have been addressed through institutional dialogue.
The MLA also raised concerns over reports that administrations of medical colleges had been directed to adopt an intimidating approach towards the protesting interns.
“If young doctors raising legitimate concerns are being subjected to pressure instead of being heard, that is unacceptable. A responsive administration should facilitate dialogue, not create an atmosphere of fear around a peaceful representation of grievances,” he said.
He urged the government to begin a structured and time-bound dialogue with the interns and resolve their grievances while ensuring that patient care is not disrupted.
“These doctors are part of the healthcare workforce serving our people. Their professional concerns cannot be dismissed, and their protest cannot simply be reduced to an administrative or law-and-order issue,” Muntazir said.
“If the government is a financial burden, reduce our salaries and accommodate them,” he said.
Earlier, in a post on X, Muntazir said he stood with MBBS and BDS interns who had been compelled to undertake a hunger strike.
He said the protest by young doctors serving in difficult conditions was regrettable and alleged that the government had failed to seriously address their demands.
Muntazir also alleged that medical college administrations had been instructed to intimidate the protesting interns, describing such an approach as inappropriate for an elected government.
He called for dialogue and a resolution of the interns’ concerns, urging the government to bring the protest to an early and dignified end.
