The Aryavarth Express
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh): Healthcare services in Himachal Pradesh’s capital are likely to be disrupted as the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) and Hospital, Shimla, has announced a one-day mass casual leave on December 26. The protest is against the termination of Dr Raghav Nirula, a senior resident in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine.
The move follows a December 22 incident at IGMC in which Dr Nirula was seen in a viral video involved in a physical altercation with a patient, identified as Arjun Pawar (36) from Chopal. The video sparked public outrage and placed the state government under pressure amid its ongoing healthcare reform push.
After the incident, Shimla Police registered an FIR at the Shimla Sadar police station under Sections 125(a), 115(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Acting on reports submitted by the IGMC administration and the college’s inquiry committee, the state government terminated Dr Nirula’s services on Wednesday. Notably, the inquiry committee reportedly found both the doctor and the patient responsible for the altercation.
Announcing the protest, RDA President Dr Sohil Sharma said the association would first seek dialogue with the government.
“We are meeting the Chief Minister on the morning of December 26. Resident doctors will go on a one-day mass casual leave the same day. If our demands are not addressed within the stipulated time, we will be forced to go on strike from December 27 at 9:30 am,” he said.
Dr Sharma clarified that emergency services would continue, but routine services, outpatient departments (OPDs) and elective surgeries would remain suspended during the protest. The action is expected to significantly affect patient care at IGMC, one of the largest tertiary care and referral hospitals in the state.
The RDA has placed several demands before the government, including the immediate revocation of Dr Nirula’s termination. The association has also sought registration of an FIR against Naresh Dasta, who allegedly threatened the doctor, and strict legal action against individuals accused of damaging government property during the incident.
In a statement issued after a meeting on Thursday, the RDA further demanded accountability for security lapses at the hospital. It called for a comprehensive review of deficiencies in CCTV coverage and the failure to implement adequate security measures at IGMC despite earlier assessments highlighting these shortcomings.
The issue has drawn nationwide attention, with the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Associations (FORDA) extending support to Dr Nirula. In a representation submitted to the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister on December 25, FORDA stressed the need for professional conduct and patient dignity, while urging that allegations be examined through a fair, balanced and transparent process. The body cautioned against drawing conclusions based solely on partial video footage or public sentiment.
Support has also come from within the state, with the Himachal Medical Officers Association (HMOA) announcing a one-day mass casual leave on December 26 in solidarity with the RDA. The association said its future course of action would depend on the government’s response, warning that only emergency services would be provided if demands remain unmet after December 27.
Adding to the pressure, the Ladakh Medical Association (LMA) also expressed solidarity with Dr Nirula. LMA President Dr Mehdi Ali termed the termination unjust, calling it a failure of institutional fairness. The association demanded action against those allegedly involved in instigating a mob at IGMC on December 22 and against the circulation of what it described as misleading content related to the incident.
With resident doctors, medical officers and national associations backing the protest, and a strike looming from December 27 if talks fail, the standoff threatens to further strain healthcare services in Himachal Pradesh in the days ahead.
