J&K Medical Interns’ Hunger Strike Enters Day 2, Protest to Continue Until Stipend Order

September 8, 2026

Srinagar: The hunger strike by medical interns in Jammu and Kashmir demanding an increase in their monthly stipend entered its second day on Tuesday, with the protesters saying they will continue the agitation until the government issues a formal written order.

The interns, who have been protesting for more than a week, are seeking an increase in their monthly stipend from Rs 12,300 to Rs 30,000. They said their stipend has remained unchanged since 2018 despite the significant rise in the cost of living.

Interns Demand Formal Government Order

Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir: MBBS and BDS interns have begun a 48-hour hunger strike, demanding an increase in their monthly internship stipend from ₹12,300 to ₹30,000. The interns have been staging a peaceful protest for the past eight days. pic.twitter.com/qmctHV6jkX

— IANS (@ians_india) September 7, 2026

The latest escalation followed a meeting between representatives of the protesting interns and Health Minister Sakina Itoo. While the minister reportedly gave assurances, the interns said they want a formal government order before ending their protest.

Representatives of the interns are scheduled to meet Itoo again on Tuesday to discuss the issue and seek a resolution.

The protest involves interns from 10 Government Medical Colleges and two dental colleges across Jammu and Kashmir.

The interns have also pointed to an earlier government recommendation on the matter. Government Order No. 538-JK(HME), issued in June 2023, had recommended increasing the stipend from the 2019 rate of Rs 12,300 to Rs 25,000.

PDP MLA Joins Protest

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Budgam MLA Syed Aga Muntazir Mehdi joined the protesting interns and criticised the UT government over the continued agitation.

He said the prolonged protest indicated that the government’s priorities were misplaced.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said on Monday that the matter should have been resolved earlier and acknowledged that the continuing agitation was affecting the interns’ work and training.

Health Minister Sakina Itoo has also appealed to the interns to return to their duties, stressing that patient care should not be affected by the protest.

Hospitals Face Staff Shortage

Medical interns play an important role in Jammu and Kashmir’s healthcare system, working in outpatient departments (OPDs), operation theatres, emergency services and inpatient care.

The ongoing strike has led to a shortage of staff at hospitals, with the disruption continuing for about a week.

The interns, however, have maintained that their agitation will continue until the government issues a written order on the stipend enhancement.