Grant medical college MBBS students on indefinite hunger strike over gymkhana control, dilution of elected body's powers

Mumbai: More than 200 medical students of Grant Government Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, have gone on an indefinite hunger strike from today (February 16) over concerns about the college administration's control in the functioning of the GMC Gymkhana and reducing the powers of the elected student body, affecting 'student autonomy.'

The students decided to take this step after months of written representations to the college administration allegedly received no response. The protest has been called by the Grant Medical College Students Association (GMCSA) to protect their fundamental, academic, and democratic rights.

According to the association, students and resident doctors have formally submitted written representations through institutional channels, citing guidelines and regulations of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the National Medical Commission (NMC), the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), and the University Grants Commission (UGC), but did not receive any concrete and written solution.

"The central issue leading to this decision is the continued interference in the functioning of the GMC Gymkhana and the dilution of powers of the officially elected student body, GMCSA," said the association in a press release.

Also read- Grant medical college MBBS students protest over Gymkhana control change

The association stated that the Advisory Committee has been turned into an Administrative Committee, which takes decision-making powers away from elected student representatives. They also allege that the administration is interfering in matters that were traditionally handled by students. The proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model is opposed by students as they believe it affects transparency and the college’s autonomy.

They further claimed that student spaces and facilities are being taken over, the Gymkhana’s financial and operational independence is being reduced, and the authority of elected GMCSA members is being weakened. The students insist that all powers and decision-making related to the Gymkhana should remain with GMCSA, and the administration should only play an advisory role, not as a controlling administrative body.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that for medical students at the Grant Medical College, the Grant Government Medical College Students' Association (GMCSA) Gymkhana near Marine Drive has been more than just an open ground. It is a space where medical students unwind, play sports, organise cultural programmes, and look after their mental and physical well-being. However, a change in the control of the Gymkhana and the ongoing plan to build a clubhouse there triggered protests from around 60 to 80 medical students in December 2025, who gathered at the gymkhana grounds near Marine Drive to express their disappointment.

The issue began earlier in 2025 when the management of the GMCSA Gymkhana was shifted from the college's elected general secretary to a government-appointed governing body. The new committee includes representatives from the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, officials from the Medical Education and Pharmaceuticals Department, the dean, the student general secretary, and the superintendent of Sir JJ Group of Hospitals.

This reportedly left the students anxious, who fear that this shift will erode their longstanding access to what has traditionally been a student-governed space. The gymkhana currently includes an open field, old sports facilities, and a cricket pitch shared with the Police Gymkhana.

Among these, the other critical issues highlighted by the students that remained unsolved include Inadequate and unsafe hostel facilities for resident doctors, lack of access to clean drinking water, insufficient campus security, especially for resident doctors and female students, and poor quality of mess/canteen facilities and irregular and delayed payment of stipends to resident doctors and interns

The movement has received official support from the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD JJH), which will actively participate.

"GMCSA reiterates that this step has been taken within the framework of law, university regulations, and human rights principles, solely to protect democratic student governance, institutional integrity, and the dignity of students and resident doctors. The concerned authorities are urged to intervene immediately and resolve the issues at the earliest," mentioned the press release.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, J.J. Hospital MARD president Dr Mahesh Tidke said, "As of now, ug students are doing a protest, and we are supporting them. If the issue is not resolved, then resident doctors will actively participate in a protest. If needed, Central MARD, BMC MARD & all residents' associations will support us."

Also read- GMC Maheshwaram MBBS students protest over poor infrastructure, demand permanent campus