Bhopal Intern Doctors End Protest After Stipend Hike

Medical interns in Bhopal ended a three-day protest on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, after the Madhya Pradesh government agreed to a 50% increase in their monthly stipend. The agreement followed clashes between protesters and police earlier in the week, which led to an official inquiry. Interns had been demanding their stipend be raised from 14,337 rupees to 30,000 rupees per month, citing their workload, rising living costs, and comparisons with stipends in other states. The protest began on September 7 at Gandhi Medical College and Hamidia Hospital. The agitation escalated on September 7 when police used water cannons and, according to protesters, batons, as interns attempted to march toward the Chief Minister’s residence. Videos circulating online showed water jets being used on doctors in white coats. In response to the confrontation, Bhopal Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar ordered an inquiry into the police action. Two police personnel, an assistant sub-inspector and a constable, were subsequently attached to reserve police lines pending the investigation into their alleged involvement.