Healthcare services in Shimla are likely to be disrupted on December 26 after resident doctors at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) and Hospital announced a one-day mass casual leave to protest the termination of a senior resident doctor.
The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of IGMC has called the protest demanding the revocation of the termination order issued against Dr Raghav Nirula, a senior resident in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine.
The association has warned of an indefinite strike from December 27 if their demands are not addressed.
The move follows an incident on December 22 at IGMC that sparked controversy after a video showing Dr Nirula involved in a physical altercation with a patient went viral on social media.
The patient
was identified as 36-year-old Arjun Pawar from Chopal. The footage triggered public outrage and intensified scrutiny of the state government amid its push for healthcare reforms.
Shimla Police subsequently registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Acting on reports submitted by the IGMC administration and an internal inquiry committee, the state government terminated Dr Nirula’s services earlier this week.
According to sources, the inquiry panel reportedly held both the doctor and the patient responsible for the incident.
Announcing the protest, RDA president Dr Sohil Sharma said the association would first attempt dialogue with the government.
“We are scheduled to meet the Chief Minister on the morning of December 26. Resident doctors will proceed on mass casual leave the same day. If our concerns remain unresolved, we will be compelled to begin a strike from December 27 at 9:30 am,” he said.
Dr Sharma clarified that emergency services would continue during the protest, but outpatient departments, routine services and elective surgeries would remain suspended. IGMC is the state’s largest tertiary care hospital and a key referral centre, and the protest is expected to significantly affect patient services.
The RDA has submitted a set of demands to the government, including the immediate withdrawal of the termination order against Dr Nirula.
The association has also sought registration of an FIR against an individual who allegedly threatened the doctor and called for legal action over the reported vandalism of government property during the incident.
In a separate statement issued after a meeting on Thursday, the RDA highlighted serious security concerns at IGMC.
It demanded accountability over alleged lapses, including inadequate CCTV coverage and failure to implement security measures despite earlier assessments pointing to vulnerabilities within the hospital premises.
The issue has drawn national attention, with the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Associations (FORDA) extending support to Dr Nirula.
In a representation submitted to the Chief Minister on December 25, FORDA stressed that while professional conduct and patient dignity are paramount, allegations of misconduct must be examined through a fair, transparent and time-bound process.
FORDA cautioned against conclusions being drawn solely on the basis of viral video clips and public perception, and urged authorities to consider factors such as provocation, miscommunication and institutional security failures.
It emphasised that the rights and dignity of both the doctor and the patient must be safeguarded.
Support has also emerged from within Himachal Pradesh. The Himachal Medical Officers Association (HMOA) announced a one-day mass casual leave on December 26 in solidarity with the resident doctors, stating that its future course of action would depend on the government’s response.
The association warned that from December 27, only emergency services may be provided if demands remain unmet.
Adding to the pressure, the Ladakh Medical Association (LMA) also expressed solidarity with Dr Nirula, calling the termination unjust. LMA president Dr Mehdi Ali said penalising a doctor who was allegedly a victim of violence sets a troubling precedent and undermines institutional fairness.
The association further demanded strict action against those accused of instigating the mob and circulating misleading content related to the incident.
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