The protest by MBBS intern doctors in Madhya Pradesh intensified on Tuesday as demonstrators continued their agitation over a demand for higher stipends, with regular outpatient services affected at Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal.
Intern doctors who had been protesting since Monday remained on the road near Kamla Park through the night. The agitation followed a confrontation with police on Monday when doctors attempting to march towards the Chief Minister’s residence were stopped and water cannons were used. Reports also said a doctor was injured during the confrontation.
The interns are seeking an increase in their monthly stipend from around ₹14,337 to ₹30,000 and have been pressing for a written government order on the issue.
OPD services affected at Hamidia
The continuing protest has affected routine medical services at Hamidia Hospital. Intern and junior doctors have stayed away from regular OPD work, while elective operation theatre services have also been affected.
Emergency services, however, have continued, according to reports. The disruption has particularly affected patients who had arrived at the hospital for consultations, investigations and routine treatment.
Long queues were reported at the hospital as the availability of junior doctors in the OPD was reduced. Patients and their attendants also faced difficulties because access to the hospital was restricted amid the protest and police deployment.
Doctors remain at Kamla Park
The protesting interns have continued their sit-in on the road near Kamla Park, demanding direct dialogue with the government.
The doctors have said they want the government to formally address their stipend demand rather than provide only verbal assurances. Reports from Monday said the interns had sought an increase from ₹14,337 to ₹30,000 and were asking for a written order before ending their agitation.
The protest site has also become a focal point for traffic restrictions in central Bhopal.
Police deployment, traffic restrictions
Police have increased security around the protest location and roads leading towards the Chief Minister’s residence have been barricaded.
Traffic movement in parts of the old city and adjoining areas has been affected as protesters remained on the road. Reports on Monday said congestion extended across alternative routes, with a traffic jam reported over a stretch of around 1.5 km from VIP Road towards Polytechnic Square.
On Tuesday, commuters in areas around Kamla Park, Royal Market and routes connecting the old city were also facing restrictions and slower movement.
Dispute over Monday's police action
Monday's confrontation remains a major point of contention between the protesters and the administration.
The doctors alleged that police used force against them during their attempt to move towards the Chief Minister's residence. Police, meanwhile, said the water cannon was used after protesters crossed or attempted to cross barricades and there was a confrontation near the hospital's emergency access area.
According to a police explanation reported after the incident, the action was taken after pushing and confrontation at the emergency gate.
The dispute over the police response has added another layer to the original stipend-related protest.
Protest spreads beyond Bhopal
The agitation has also received support from junior doctors and medical groups, with reports of demonstrations at MY Hospital in Indore against the police action in Bhopal.
The wider participation could increase pressure on the state government to open formal negotiations with the protesting interns.
For patients, however, the immediate concern remains the availability of routine healthcare services at government hospitals. With emergency services continuing but OPD and elective services affected, the duration of the protest will determine how significantly public healthcare delivery is disrupted.
The stipend figures and doctors' demands are reported as claims made by the protesting interns and corroborated by multiple reports. The police justification for the water-cannon action is presented separately from the doctors' allegations. The protest and service disruption are ongoing developments and may change as government-doctor talks progress.
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