Ayurveda Students Lock Ujjain College and Hospital Over Stipend
Ayurveda interns in Ujjain lock hospital gates, demanding their monthly stipend be increased from ₹9,383 to ₹21,500 to match MBBS peers.
Chaos erupted at the Government Ayurveda College and Hospital in Ujjain on Monday as approximately 200 students took drastic measures to voice their grievances. In a massive escalation of their ongoing struggle, the protesters locked the main gates of both the educational institution and the medical facility, bringing hospital operations to a grinding halt.
The sudden blockade caused significant disruption for medical staff, healthcare workers, and a wave of patients who arrived at the hospital in the morning only to find the entrance inaccessible. The demonstration marks a turning point in a week-long standoff between the student body and the administration.
The Demand: Parity with MBBS Interns
At the heart of this intense protest is a demand for financial fairness. The BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) interns are demanding a substantial hike in their monthly stipend. Currently, they receive ₹9,383 per month, but they are demanding that this amount be increased to ₹21,500.
The students have raised a compelling argument regarding the nature of their work. They contend that:
- The duties and clinical responsibilities of BAMS interns are comparable to those of MBBS interns.
- There should be no disparity in remuneration for interns performing similar medical roles.
- The stipend must be brought in line with the standard paid to MBBS students to ensure equity in medical training.
From Peaceful Rituals to Gate Lockdowns
This Monday's aggressive lockdown was not the students' first attempt to get the government's attention. Over the past seven days, the student union has employed a variety of peaceful and symbolic methods to highlight their plight, including:
- Organized demonstrations and loud sloganeering.
- A 'sadbuddhi yajna', a traditional ritual performed to seek wisdom and better decision-making from authorities.
- Blood donation camps to demonstrate their commitment to public service.
Despite these efforts, the students claim their appeals have fallen on deaf ears. The lack of a concrete response from the authorities has pushed the frustrated intern group toward more disruptive tactics.
No More Verbal Assurances
The student union has made it clear that they are no longer interested in mere promises. They have rejected the idea of accepting verbal commitments from officials, stating that they will only end the protest once a formal written order is issued.
The students are demanding a document that explicitly confirms the stipend hike to ₹21,500 per month, with a mandate for immediate implementation. As the gates remain locked, concerns continue to grow regarding the availability of essential health services in the region, while authorities have yet to provide a definitive resolution to the crisis.