Congress government has reportedly proposed PPP arrangements to privatise district hospitals in 11 districts.
Published Jan 07, 2026 | 2:18 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 07, 2026 | 3:27 PM
Representational image. credit: iStock
Synopsis: For over 100 days, civil society groups in Vijayapura have protested Congress government’s plan to privatise district hospital under a PPP model. Police cracked down, arresting 20 and dismantling tents, sparking condemnation from Karnataka Janarogya Chaluvali. Protestors cite past PPP failures, demand release of detainees, withdrawal of FIRs, and transparent dialogue on healthcare rights.
For over 100 days, people’s collectives and civil society groups in Karnataka’s Vijayapura have been protesting against the proposed privatisation of the district hospital under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model of the Karnataka government. As the new year began, the protest site witnessed a crackdown, with tents dismantled, protestors arrested, and FIRs registered.
Vijayapura police arrested at least 20 people after protestors attempted to lay siege to the residence of Industries Minister and district in-charge MB Patil. The Karnataka Janarogya Chaluvali condemned the arrests and the filing of FIRs against those participating in what it described as a peaceful protest.
“The criminalisation of democratic protest through arrests and FIRs is unjustified and reflects an alarming intolerance towards dissent,” the group said in a statement issued on 7 January.
Over the past several months, protestors have raised concerns about the proposed handover of several acres of land, hospital buildings, staff, equipment and other assets of the district hospital to private entities.
In 2022, the previous BJP-led government had proposed PPP-based privatisation of nine district hospitals, a move that was later withdrawn following widespread public opposition.
However, the Congress government has now reportedly proposed PPP arrangements to privatise district hospitals in 11 districts – Tumakuru, Davanagere, Chitradurga, Bagalkote, Kolar, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Bengaluru Rural, Vijayapura, Vijayanagara, and Ramanagaram.
In its statement, the Karnataka Janarogya Chaluvali condemned the police action, alleging that officers arrived at the protest site at midnight and forcibly dismantled tents at the dharna venue.
“Such midnight actions amount to intimidation and are a direct attack on the constitutional right of citizens to assemble and protest peacefully,” the group said.
The organisation said the Sarkari Medical College Sthapana Horata Samithi, comprising local organisations, senior leaders, health activists and community members, has been leading the movement against what it termed the Congress government’s “concerning” attempt to hand over the well-functioning Vijayapura district hospital to a medical college under a “questionable” PPP model.
“Handing over 135 acres of land, buildings, staff and equipment to the ‘winner’ of a PPP bid at the behest of the NITI Aayog, which has increasingly functioned as a corporate enabler, is a legitimate cause for concern,” the statement said.
The NITI Aayog, in 2019, issued a set of recommendations to states promoting PPP model, arguing that “it is practically not possible for the Central/State Government to bridge the gaps in medical education with their limited resources and finances.”
The group alleged that the government has ignored repeated representations from stakeholders and has instead responded by clamping down on protestors rather than engaging with their concerns.
“Scientific evidence from our own state shows that these models are utter failures and jeopardise people’s access to healthcare,” the statement said.
As examples, the group cited the Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital in Raichur, which was taken back by the government from Apollo Hospitals following allegations of financial irregularities, patient fraud and inefficiency. It also referred to the Udupi district hospital, which was returned to government control after the owner of the operating company, BR Shetty, was implicated in an international fraud case.
The group demanded immediate release of all detained protestors, withdrawal of FIRs, and an end to what it described as police intimidation of those named in cases or associated with the protest. It also called on the government to uphold the constitutional right to peaceful protest, including restoring tents and facilities removed from the protest site.
It also urged the government to initiate a “sincere, transparent and time-bound” dialogue with representatives of the Horata Samithi.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
