Health Services Disrupted in Himachal Pradesh as Doctors Join Mass Leave
On Friday, December 26, 2025, a significant number of doctors across Himachal Pradesh initiated a mass casual leave, leading to a widespread disruption of health services. The action, primarily centered around the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) and Hospital in Shimla, saw patients facing difficulties accessing medical care as scheduled operations were postponed and regular services were halted. The Himachal Medical Officers Association (HMOA) and the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of IGMC were key participants in this organized absence from duty.
Background of the Doctors' Protest
The mass leave appears to be a direct response to the termination of a senior resident doctor, identified as Dr. Raghav Nirula, from the Pulmonary Department at IGMC. This dismissal followed an alleged violent altercation between the doctor and a patient, Arjun, earlier in the week. Doctors involved in the protest claim the incident involved self-defense and are demanding the revocation of Dr. Nirula's dismissal order. There are also reports suggesting Dr. Nirula has received threats to his life.
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The specific date of the alleged altercation is not precisely detailed, but it occurred prior to December 26, 2025.
The Chief Minister, Sukhu, ordered a probe into the incident on December 23, 2025.
The protest gained momentum as various doctor associations, including the State Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers (SAMEDCOT), expressed solidarity.
Evidence of Disruption and Demands
Patient care was notably affected in Shimla's hospitals, with many patients arriving to find clinics without doctors. The Tribune reported that "half of the IGMC faculty was already on winter vacation," exacerbating the impact of the resident doctors' leave. The Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sanjeev Verma, stated that "no health services could be provided to the patients as government doctors were on leave throughout the district."
Numbers: Reports suggest around 2,400 doctors from the HPMOA and 400 from Tanda Medical College were involved, in addition to the IGMC resident doctors. One source indicates a total of 2,850 doctors participated.
Demands: The primary demand is the revocation of the dismissal order for Dr. Nirula. The protesting doctors also seek the filing of an FIR against a "patient mob" and claim self-defense.
Escalation: The HMOA and RDA have warned that if their demands are not met, an indefinite strike would commence from December 27, 2025, with only emergency services potentially remaining operational.
Conflicting Accounts and Underlying Tensions
While the doctors cite Dr. Nirula's termination as the catalyst, the circumstances surrounding the patient assault are not fully elucidated. The narrative from the doctors' associations emphasizes self-defense and alleged threats against their colleague.
"Doctors claim self-defense, demand FIR vs patient mob." - Source: Jaano Junction
The state government, represented by Chief Minister Sukhu, has engaged with the protesting doctors, with meetings reported to have taken place on December 26, 2025. The outcome of these discussions is crucial in determining the potential escalation to an indefinite strike.
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Comparison of Protest Actions
| Event | Date(s) | Nature of Action | Affected Services | Primary Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mass Casual Leave | Dec 26, 2025 | Mass casual leave by RDA & HMOA | Health services in Shimla hospitals, district hospitals to PHCs | Termination of Dr. Raghav Nirula |
| Potential Indefinite Strike | Starting Dec 27, 2025 | Strike, potentially limiting to emergency services | All health services, except emergencies | Unresolved demands regarding Dr. Nirula's dismissal |
Expert Analysis
The organized mass leave by doctors in Himachal Pradesh underscores a significant tension between hospital administration, government oversight, and medical professionals' collective bargaining power. The insistence on self-defense claims and the threat of further industrial action suggest a deep-seated concern among medical staff regarding perceived injustices or inadequate support in dealing with patient-related incidents. The disruption of essential health services, even for a single day, highlights the critical role doctors play and the immediate impact their actions have on public well-being.
Conclusion and Future Implications
The mass casual leave initiated by doctors in Himachal Pradesh on December 26, 2025, has demonstrably impacted health services across the state, particularly in Shimla. The protest is a direct response to the dismissal of Dr. Raghav Nirula, with doctors advocating for his reinstatement and claiming self-defense. The situation remains volatile, with the threat of an indefinite strike looming from December 27 if the government does not accede to the doctors' demands.
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The immediate concern is the potential for continued or escalated disruption of healthcare if negotiations fail.
The allegations of threats against Dr. Nirula add another layer of complexity to the situation.
The state government's engagement through meetings with the Chief Minister indicates an awareness of the seriousness of the doctors' grievances and the potential ramifications.
Sources
The Tribune: Published Dec 26, 2025. Focuses on the immediate impact on patients and the involvement of RDA and HMOA. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/doctors-proceed-on-mass-causal-leave-health-services-in-shimla-hospitals-hit/
Business Upturn: Published Dec 26, 2025. Details the protest's origin from the senior resident's termination after a patient assault row and the warning of an indefinite strike. https://www.businessupturn.com/nation/igmc-shimla-resident-doctors-go-on-mass-leave-today-over-senior-residents-termination-after-patient-assault-row/
Jaano Junction: Published Dec 26, 2025. Reports on doctors' claims of self-defense, demands for FIR against patient mob, and meetings with the CM. https://www.jaanojunction.com/news/himachal-doctor-tu-assault-video-mass-doctor-strike-today-dec-26-demands-revocation-of-suspension
The Uttam Hindu (via AOL): Published Dec 26, 2025. Provides numbers of doctors involved, outlines joint demands, and mentions threats to Dr. Nirula. https://www.theuttamhindu.com/himachal/2850-doctors-go-on-mass-leave-in-himachal-today-warn-of-strike-from-tomorrow-if-dismissal-decision-is-not-withdrawn-490073
Note: Article 4 from Medbound Times, published March 11, 2024, discusses a different mass leave concerning non-practicing allowance (NPA) and is therefore excluded as it pertains to a separate issue.Note: Article 6 from Uni India was excluded due to an extraction failure.
