TN Govt doctors suspend indefinite hunger strike after police intervention

Written By : Rumela De Sarkar Published On 2026-03-08T16:30:32+05:30 | Updated On 8 March 2026 4:30 PM IST

Doctors Call Off Haryana Strike After Suspension of Seven Cops

Chennai: Following the dean of Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) formally denying permission for a protest on campus, doctors affiliated with the Federation of Government Doctors Association (FOGDA) on Thursday were forced to suspend their indefinite fast midway when police arrived at the premises.

The protest, which began around 10 a.m., was aimed at pressing long-standing demands of government doctors, including a review of Government Order 354 of 2009 regarding pay and promotions, a Rs 3,000 allowance for Primary Health Centre medical officers, standalone postgraduate increments, revival of 1,500 posts cut during a restructuring exercise, and the creation of new posts based on patient load.

Also Read:Tamil Nadu Govt Doctors to Begin Indefinite Hunger Strike Over Pending Demands

FOGDA, which comprises multiple organisations, including the Democratic Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association, Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association, Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association, and Government All Doctors Association.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that the Federation of Government Doctors Associations (FOGDA) in Tamil Nadu announced on Saturday that it will begin an indefinite hunger strike on March 5, citing the State government's inaction on their long-pending demands for pay revision and career progression.

Earlier, the federation’s representatives held talks with the Health Secretary, who indicated the issues would be taken up with the Finance Department. As no agreement was reached, the doctors intended to continue the fast. However, police informed them that prior permission was required for protests on hospital grounds, and by 4 p.m., the dean officially instructed them to leave, warning of further action.

Following this directive, FOGDA coordinators decided to suspend the fast. In response, the federation strongly condemned the dean’s action, stating that it curtailed government doctors’ right to protest within their workplace to voice legitimate concerns.

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In an official communication, the dean said protests inside the medical institution cannot be permitted. Asking the protestors to leave the premises, the authority said that failing to do so, the matter would be informed to the police for further action. The police said that they had asked the doctors to get permission from the respective authority to hold the protest, reports The Hindu.

Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospitalgovernment doctorsFOGDAhunger strike

Rumela De Sarkar

With a keen interest in storytelling and a dedication to uncovering facts, Rumela De Sarkar joined Medical Dialogues as a Correspondent in 2024. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of North Bengal. Rumela covers a wide range of healthcare topics, including medical news, policy updates, and developments related to doctors, hospitals, and medical education