Dehradun: A protest by unemployed nursing professionals in Uttarakhand took a disturbing turn on Wednesday when a woman allegedly consumed phenyl outside the official residence of Health Minister Subodh Uniyal, highlighting the growing frustration among candidates waiting for government recruitment.
The woman, identified as Kiran Rawat, was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital after police and those present at the spot intervened. Officials said she is undergoing treatement, while authorities have begun looking into the circumstances that led to the incident.
According to people familiar with the protest, Rawat and several other nursing aspirants had gathered outside the minister’s residence to press for long pending recruitment in the state health department. The candidates have been demanding that vacant nursing posts be filled without further delay, saying many qualified professionals have remained unemployed despite recurring staff shortages in government healthcare facilities.
Witnesses said the atmosphere turned tense after the group failed to receive a clear assurance on when the recruitment process would begin. Moments later, Rawat allegedly consumed phenyl, leaving fellow protesters and security personnel scrambling to help her before she was shifted to hospital.
The incident has once again brought attention to the uncertainty surrounding government hiring in Uttarakhand’s health sector. Nursing aspirants have repeatedly staged demonstrations in recent months, arguing that recruitment has moved at a slow pace even as hospitals continue to require trained medical staff.
While the state government has not announced any immediate decision on fresh recruitment following the incident, officials have confirmed that the woman is receiving medical care. A detailed statement on the matter is awaited.
The episode has also sparked wider discussion about the pressure faced by unemployed government job aspirants. For many candidates, years of preparation, delayed recruitment notifications and repeated postponements have created both financial hardship and emotional stress.
Political observers and civil society members have urged the government to address recruitment concerns through a transparent and time bound process. They argue that timely appointments would not only provide employment to qualified candidates but also strengthen the state’s public healthcare system.
As of now, there has been no official announcement regarding a revised recruitment schedule. The immediate focus remains on Rawat’s health, while questions continue to be raised over the pace of hiring in Uttarakhand’s health department.
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