AP rises to defend Public Medical Colleges
Today marked a historic chapter in Andhra Pradesh’s democratic life as all districts of the state witnessed simultaneous, large-scale public mobilisations against the privatisation of government medical colleges. What unfolded across the state was a collective civic assertion, a people’s referendum expressing deep public anger and moral resistance to the dismantling of public healthcare and medical education.
Responding to the call given by YSR Congress Party President and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, lakhs of people across every district, constituency, and mandal came out voluntarily to participate in rallies, bike processions, public gatherings, and vehicle convoys, marking the culmination of the One Crore Signatures Public Movement.
A Statewide Democratic Expression
From North Andhra to Rayalaseema, from Coastal districts to interior tribal regions, signed petitions collected over weeks through a transparent, door-to-door democratic process were today publicly displayed, consolidated, and formally dispatched to the YSRCP Central Office at Tadepalli. In each district, the movement took visible, dignified, and peaceful forms
- District headquarters rallies
- Bike and vehicle processions
- Flag-off ceremonies of signature consignments
- Public addresses explaining the dangers of privatisation
In many places, people offered harathi, raised slogans, and escorted the vehicles carrying the signatures, underscoring that these were not mere papers, but the collective will of the people.
Beyond Party Lines: A People’s Mandate
What made today’s events extraordinary was the breadth of participation. Alongside YSRCP leaders, elected representatives, and cadres, the movement saw active involvement from students, parents, doctors, nurses, teachers, farmers, women, youth, Dalits, tribals, minorities, civil society members, and even supporters of other political parties.
Across districts, speakers consistently echoed a single sentiment: Public medical colleges are public assets. They belong to the people, not to private corporations.
The movement resonated particularly with poor and middle-class families, who fear that privatisation will make medical education unaffordable and healthcare inaccessible, pushing future generations into debt and distress.
The Core issue: A Vision Under Attack
Speakers across the state recalled that until 2019, Andhra Pradesh had only 11 government medical colleges. Under Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s leadership, 17 new government medical colleges were sanctioned, seven completed, and admissions begun in five, creating a once-in-a-generation expansion of public medical infrastructure.
Today’s protests arose from the deep sense that this people-centric vision is being deliberately dismantled. The TDP-led coalition government’s move to hand over these colleges to private players under PPP arrangements, while retaining public land, public buildings, and public salaries, was repeatedly described as institutionalised loot, not reform.
Peaceful, Disciplined, Determined
Despite attempts at intimidation, misinformation, and administrative hurdles, today’s mobilisations remained entirely peaceful, disciplined, and democratic. There were no provocations, no violence, only voices, signatures, and solidarity. This itself became a powerful rebuttal to attempts to delegitimise the movement.
What Happens Next
The One Crore+ signatures, consolidated district by district, will be formally submitted to the Hon’ble Governor of Andhra Pradesh on December 18, when Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will personally present the people’s memorandum, explaining how the privatisation decision threatens:
- Affordable medical education
- Public healthcare access
- Social justice
- Federal and constitutional responsibilities of the state
Conclusion: A Line Drawn by the People
Today, Andhra Pradesh sent an unmistakable message. This was not an agitation for headlines. It was not a protest manufactured in offices. It was the voice of ordinary people defending extraordinary public institutions built with their money, their land, and their trust.
The One Crore Signatures Movement has now moved from collection to collective assertion. Whatever the outcome, today has already reshaped the political and moral landscape of the state.
Public health is not for sale. Medical education is not a commodity. And the people of Andhra Pradesh will not remain silent.
