GMC Anantnag Summons MBBS Students After Viral Video on Low Intern Stipends Sparks Outrage

SRINAGAR: Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag has summoned two MBBS students after they publicly raised the long-pending issue of low stipends for MBBS and BDS interns in Jammu and Kashmir, triggering widespread criticism from medical student bodies across the Valley.According to an official notice issued by the college administration on May 18, the students were asked to appear before the office of the Principal-cum-Dean over the alleged “violation of college norms.” The notice referred to recent incidents involving certain students of the institute.The students have been identified as Aadil Mohammad Kumar, an MBBS Phase III Part-II student, and Sahil Nagori, an MBBS Phase III Part-I student.Sources said the action came after a social media video went viral in which the students highlighted the poor stipend paid to medical interns in Jammu and Kashmir and accused authorities of ignoring repeated demands for enhancement.In the viral video, one of the students described the current stipend for medical interns as “peanuts” despite the heavy workload and long duty hours handled by interns in hospitals. The student also claimed that interns in several other Indian states receive significantly higher stipends compared to Jammu and Kashmir.The students later appeared before the college administration, where they were reportedly counselled and advised to focus on academics and avoid social media activism. Sources said the administration also objected to the alleged use of inappropriate language during the online interaction and sought clarification regarding certain remarks made in the video.The incident has now sparked strong reactions from medical student groups across Jammu and Kashmir. The J&K Medical Students Association (JKMSA) strongly condemned the move, calling it “unjust targeting” of students for raising genuine concerns related to intern stipends and working conditions.The association stated that medical interns work tirelessly on the frontlines of healthcare services and that demanding fair compensation is a legitimate right, not an act of indiscipline.JKMSA further urged the GMC Anantnag administration to address the issue of stipend enhancement for MBBS and BDS interns instead of “silencing future doctors” who are speaking about the challenges faced by medical students in Jammu and Kashmir.