In a significant political move, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has formally presented a petition bearing one crore signatures to the state's Governor. This massive public mandate is against the proposed privatisation of government medical colleges in the state.
A Public Mandate Against Privatisation
The Chief Minister, leading a delegation from his party, submitted the signatures on 18 December 2025. He stated that the collection of ten million signatures demonstrates the widespread public concern over the issue. Jagan Mohan Reddy emphasised that the move to privatise medical education would have severe long-term consequences for the state's healthcare system.
Legal Recourse and Stark Warnings
The CM declared that his party would not stop at the petition. He announced plans to approach the courts and file affidavits to legally challenge the privatisation policy. Reddy issued a strong warning, stating that if the privatisation of medical colleges is not halted, it would lead to suffering for future generations.
He argued that healthcare would fall completely into private hands, which could open the door to unchecked exploitation of students and patients alike. The move, according to him, would make quality medical education inaccessible to the poor and middle class, creating a system driven solely by profit.
The Broader Implications for Healthcare
This protest highlights a critical debate on the future of public healthcare and education in India. The Chief Minister's action frames the issue as a battle to protect essential services from commercialisation. The submission of such a voluminous public petition is seen as a strategy to build political and moral pressure against the policy, complementing the impending legal battle.
The event marks a key moment in the state's healthcare policy discourse, setting the stage for a protracted confrontation that could involve the judiciary, the legislature, and continued public mobilisation.
