Protesters, including medical officers, teachers, and junior doctors, plan to wear black armbands while on duty starting October 8, 2025, to highlight their dissent.
The controversy stems from the tragic deaths of 23 children due to acute kidney failure caused by contaminated Coldrif syrup, which forensic tests revealed contained 48.6% diethylene glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial solvent.
Dr Soni, a government pediatrician at Parasia's Civil Hospital, was arrested for prescribing the syrup at his private clinic. However, medical bodies argue the arrest violates Supreme Court guidelines from the 2005 Jacob Mathew vs State of Punjab case, which requires proof of gross negligence certified by experts before holding doctors criminally liable.
In Chhindwara, doctors submitted a memorandum to the SDM, demanding Dr Soni's immediate release from judicial custody and withdrawal of the FIR.
If unmet, they threaten to escalate by shutting down Outpatient Departments (OPDs) statewide. A joint statement emphasized, "Doctors will not remain silent if one of us is made a scapegoat for systemic lapses."
The associations blame manufacturer Shri Sant Pharmaceuticals and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for failing to prevent the distribution of adulterated medicine, despite central advisories.
PMTA's memorandum to Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav calls for action against the real culprits and stronger drug regulations to avert future tragedies.
Meanwhile, in Indore, authorities ramped up inspections on cough syrups, checking wholesalers and retailers, with no contaminated batches found yet.
This protest underscores growing concerns over accountability in India's healthcare system amid the Chhindwara cough syrup deaths, urging systemic reforms while supporting bereaved families.
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