The medical community at Himachal Pradesh's premier medical institute is on the brink of a major confrontation with the administration. The Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) of the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla has issued a stern ultimatum, demanding the immediate reinstatement of a fellow doctor whose services were terminated following an alleged physical altercation with a patient.
Doctors' Body Issues Strike Ultimatum
The RDA has explicitly stated that if their demand to revoke the termination order of Dr Raghav Narula is not met, they will proceed with an indefinite strike. The association has set a clear deadline, announcing that the industrial action will commence from Saturday, 27 December 2025. This move underscores the deep-seated discontent among the resident doctors regarding the disciplinary action taken against their colleague.
The Core of the Controversy
The entire dispute stems from an incident where Dr Narula was accused of 'punching' a patient. Based on this allegation, the IGMC administration took the severe step of terminating his services. The RDA, however, is now rallying behind the doctor, challenging the decision and pushing for its reversal. The specific details and context leading to the alleged physical encounter have become the central point of contention, with the doctors' body likely arguing for a more nuanced review of the circumstances.
Potential Impact and Escalation
A strike by the resident doctors at a major institution like IGMC would have severe repercussions for healthcare services in the region. The hospital caters to a large population from Shimla and across Himachal Pradesh. The threatened action, scheduled just days after the order on 25 December 2025, indicates the urgency and intensity of the protest. The situation places the state health department and hospital administration under significant pressure to negotiate a resolution before the weekend to prevent a disruption in medical services.
The standoff highlights the ongoing tensions within medical institutions over disciplinary matters and the collective bargaining power of resident doctors' associations. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the administration will reconsider its decision or face a full-blown strike that could paralyze one of the state's key healthcare facilities.
