Inquiry Ordered After Police Use Water Cannons on Protesting Intern Doctors in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar has ordered an impartial investigation into the use of water cannons against MBBS intern doctors protesting at Gandhi Medical College (GMC) in Bhopal. The probe follows an incident on September 7, 2026, where police used water cannons and baton charges to stop interns from marching to the Chief Minister's residence. The interns were protesting to demand that their monthly stipend be increased from 14,437 rupees to 30,000 rupees.

At least four interns were reported injured in the police action, including one student with a broken arm and another with an eye injury. Siddhartha Kumar Rai, president of the Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA) undergraduate student wing, stated that the protest was peaceful and that police treated the interns like goons. Dr. Kavita N. Singh, Dean and CEO of GMC, also condemned the force used on the hospital campus in a letter to the Police Commissioner.

The investigation was initiated after the matter was brought to the attention of Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Rajendra Shukla. Deputy Commissioner of Police Vikas Sahwal has been appointed to lead the inquiry. Minister Shukla has since met with GMC management and officials, stating that the concerns of the young doctors are being taken seriously and a resolution will be reached soon.

In support of the protest, medical services were interrupted at Gwalior’s Gajra Raja Medical College, and interns at GMC boycotted OPD and routine operation theatre services, though emergency services remained operational. The JDA warned that medical services across the state could be boycotted if written assurances are not provided.