Himachal Pradesh's healthcare system is facing disruption as doctors have launched an indefinite strike on Saturday, December 27, 2025, following the termination of a colleague. The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla, supported by the Himachal Medical Officers Association (HMOA) and RDAs from other medical colleges, is spearheading the strike, demanding the immediate reinstatement of Dr. Raghav Narula.
Dr. Narula's services were terminated on December 24 after an inquiry found him guilty of assaulting a patient, Arjun Singh, on December 22. The incident reportedly occurred after a heated argument escalated into a physical altercation in the Pulmonary Science Department of IGMC Hospital. Taking a serious view of the matter, the state government terminated Dr. Narula's services for "misconduct and violation of service rules".
The RDA has strongly opposed the termination, deeming the action as arbitrary and unjust. They argue that Dr. Narula's side of the story has not been adequately considered and are calling for a fair investigation into the matter. The association alleges that a college inquiry committee had found both the patient and the doctor responsible for the incident. Furthermore, the RDA claims that Dr. Narula received death threats and was pressured to leave the country following the incident. They have also raised concerns about alleged mob intimidation inside the hospital premises, claiming that the safety of healthcare workers is under threat. The association has demanded the registration of FIRs related to the intimidation and vandalism.
The strike has significantly impacted healthcare services across Himachal Pradesh. All routine services, outpatient departments (OPDs), and elective operation theatres will remain closed during the strike, with only emergency services being functional. Earlier, in a show of solidarity, doctors across the state proceeded on mass casual leave on Friday, disrupting routine healthcare services and causing inconvenience to patients. Long queues were witnessed at OPD counters of regional and zonal hospitals in Kullu, Dharamshala, Una, and Mandi. Approximately 2,800 doctors, including junior and senior residents, participated in the one-day casual leave.
The Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) met with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday, where he assured them of a fresh inquiry into the incident. According to RDA President Dr. Sohil Sharma, the Chief Minister listened to their concerns in detail, considered all available evidence, and promised a re-investigation. Despite the CM's assurance of a fresh probe, the doctors have decided to continue with the indefinite strike until their demands are met.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has justified the termination, stating that violence cannot be justified regardless of the circumstances. He emphasized that doctors are seen as caregivers and that the inquiry report indicated the patient was lying on an empty bed when the alleged assault occurred. Sukhu also highlighted the steps taken by his government to reduce stress among doctors, including reducing their work shifts and increasing their stipends.
The Himachal Pradesh State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has expressed deep concern over the incident. They alleged that a BJP MLA threatened serious consequences if the medical officer was not removed from service and accused the BJP of attempting to destabilize law and order. The situation remains tense, with patients facing inconvenience and uncertainty as the doctors' strike continues.
