Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s statement in the legislative assembly, indicating no immediate plans for government medical colleges in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, has sparked widespread reactions and preparations for campaigns and protests among coastal residents.
MLC Manjunath Bhandary conveyed the CM’s assurance of future medical colleges in Puttur for Dakshina Kannada and in Kundapur or Byndoor for Udupi. However, he clarified that there are no proposals for this year. This announcement has stirred political and social debates across the region.
Various organizations, including the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), have launched vigorous campaigns, both online and offline, advocating for government medical colleges. SDPI activists have been mobilizing public support through awareness drives, emphasizing the need for accessible medical education for economically disadvantaged students.
SDPI’s Dakshina Kannada district president, Anwar Sadath Bajathoor, criticized the government’s stance, calling for potential large-scale protests if a medical college isn’t proposed soon. He expressed frustration on social media with hashtags like #StopMedicalMafia and #DKWantsGovtMedicalCollege.
Ashok Adamale from the Aam Aadmi Party highlighted that land had been reserved for a government medical college in Puttur years ago, underscoring local grievances over reliance on private medical facilities.
CITU’s Sunil Kumar Bajal accused the government of favoring private interests over public welfare by withholding government medical colleges from coastal districts.