Doda, May 30 – A simmering conflict between Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Mehraj Malik and the medical staff of Government Medical College (GMC) Doda has erupted into a full-blown crisis, leaving patients in distress and igniting a heated public debate. The immediate trigger—a sudden strike by doctors on May 29—follows a series of allegations by Mr. Malik, culminating in a First Information Report (FIR) filed by a senior doctor against the legislator. However, the roots of this controversy stretch back months, reflecting long-standing grievances over healthcare delivery in the Chenab region.
The current episode began on May 26, 2025, when Mr. Malik, the MLA from Doda, conducted a surprise visit to the Associated Hospital at GMC Doda, live-streaming his inspection on Facebook. He accused doctors of absenteeism, unprofessional behavior—such as playing on mobile phones during duty—and failing to wear aprons, which he claimed hindered their identification. More gravely, he alleged that a “Gynaec Female Doctor named Madhu” (later identified as Dr. Madhu Chib, Associate Professor and Head of Gynecology and Obstetrics) was diverting patients to private hospitals, a practice he described as a “scam” benefiting private interests at the expense of public healthcare.
Mr. Malik’s actions during the visit have drawn sharp criticism. According to an FIR filed by Dr. Chib on May 28, he entered the labour room—a restricted area—while live-streaming, accompanied by associates, in violation of patient privacy and hospital protocols. The FIR, registered under Sections 356(2), 79, and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, accuses Mr. Malik of criminal intimidation, outraging the modesty of a woman, and criminal trespass.
Mr. Malik’s engagement with GMC Doda is not a recent development. Elected as MLA in October 2024, the AAP legislator has visited the hospital multiple times over the past eight months, consistently raising concerns about its functioning. He has accused doctors of engaging in private practice by referring patients from GMC Doda to their private clinics, where treatments, including surgeries, are performed promptly, while patients at the government hospital face long waiting periods—sometimes extending to six months. “If a doctor can perform a surgery immediately at a private clinic, why are patients at GMC Doda given such long dates?” Mr. Malik has repeatedly asked, pointing to what he calls a “nexus” involving scans and other hospital services.
On May 26, Mr. Malik formalised his concerns in a letter to the Principal of GMC Doda, urging immediate action on issues like absenteeism, lack of uniforms, and Dr. Chib’s alleged malpractices. Two days later, on May 28, he announced the formation of a 24-member committee to monitor healthcare facilities in the Doda-52 Assembly constituency, signaling his intent to intensify oversight.
Tensions escalated further on the evening of May 28, when Mr. Malik went live on Facebook, vowing to “stop the nexus being run in GMC Doda for years by two doctors looting 12 lakh people of the Chenab region.” In this live stream, he allegedly used derogatory and threatening language against Dr. Chib, including phrases like “gasheetonga” (I will drag you) and “nanga kardunga” (I will strip you naked), alongside terms such as “chor,” “dalae,” “haramkhor,” and “qatil.” He also referred to Dr. Chib’s alleged actions as “dalali” (implying immoral conduct) and made an insensitive remark—“This hospital doesn’t belong to your father”—unaware or disregarding that Dr. Chib’s father passed away over 12 years ago.
Dr. Chib’s FIR, filed at 4:30 p.m. on May 28, details these remarks as verbal sexual harassment, causing psychological distress and tarnishing her professional reputation. She has sought immediate action against Mr. Malik, alongside measures to ensure the safety of herself, her colleagues, and patients, and to restrict unauthorised entries into sensitive hospital areas. The investigation has been assigned to Sub-Inspector Ankush Bhau of the Doda Police Station.
In response, the Joint Action Committee of Doctors and Paramedical Staff at GMC Doda, led by Dr. Khalid Muzaffer, issued a statement on May 28 condemning Mr. Malik’s “derogatory and inflammatory statements.” The committee accused him of targeting the medical fraternity with “foul, threatening, and irresponsible language,” particularly against Dr. Chib, whom they described as a “respected female gynecologist.” They clarified that private practice during working hours is legally permitted across Jammu and Kashmir, rejecting Mr. Malik’s allegations as a misrepresentation aimed at inciting public hostility.
The committee demanded a public apology from Mr. Malik within 24 hours, along with administrative action to ensure the safety and dignity of the medical staff. When the deadline passed without a response, doctors launched a sudden strike on May 29, suspending Outpatient Department (OPD) and other non-emergency services. The strike caused significant distress to patients, many of whom had travelled long distances for treatment, only to find services unavailable.
The strike has polarised public opinion. On social media, majority of comments support Mr. Malik, with many demanding action against doctors’ alleged negligence. In the physical world, similar sentiments prevail, though some criticism of Mr. Malik’s harsh tone has emerged, often from individuals affiliated with opposition parties like the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) and Congress. “While Mr. Malik’s tone may be harsh, his allegations are correct,” a local resident told The Chenab Times, echoing a common refrain that the difficulties faced by patients at GMC Doda—due to doctors’ negligence—must be addressed.
The current crisis is not an isolated incident. GMC Doda has a history of controversies, with the public frequently raising concerns about doctors’ behaviour, unavailability, and negligence. A recent incident involving the death of a woman, attributed to doctors’ negligence, was “technically bypassed” by the hospital administration, further fueling public frustration.
On May 29, Mr. Malik wrote another letter to the Principal of GMC Doda, condemning the strike as an “illegal protest” and “unauthorized absence from duty.” He demanded the withholding of salaries of striking staff, their suspension pending a full inquiry, and the restoration of health services on a “war footing.” He argued that public institutions like hospitals should not be “held hostage to internal grievances or political motivations.”
The conflict at GMC Doda reflects broader tensions over healthcare accountability in the Chenab region. Mr. Malik’s actions, while controversial, resonate with a public frustrated by systemic issues in government healthcare. However, his methods—particularly the use of threatening language and unauthorised entry into hospital spaces—have drawn legal and ethical scrutiny. The doctors, meanwhile, assert their right to dignity and safety, arguing that Mr. Malik’s attacks undermine the medical profession and endanger their working environment.
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Anzer Ayoob is the Founder and Chief Editor to The Chenab Times
