Row erupts over shifting of Atal Medical University from Nerchowk to Sarkaghat

A major political controversy has erupted in Mandi district following Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s Independence Day announcement to relocate the Atal Medical and Research University from Nerchowk in Balh assembly constituency to Sarkaghat. The decision has drawn criticism from the opposition, civil society groups and even senior Congress leaders, sparking widespread protests and political outrage.

Balh MLA Inder Singh Gandhi on Saturday led a massive protest at Nerchowk, calling the decision “unjust and unfortunate.” He argued the university has been functioning from its current location for the past seven years on 125 bighas of acquired land and has served hundreds of medical students. “Relocating it now is a betrayal of public trust and an insult to the people of Mandi,” he said.

Gandhi added nearly 200 bighas of land in the nearby Mandal area had already been surveyed and declared suitable by multiple government departments. The site, located just two kilometres from the existing medical college, was a logical choice for expansion. “Shifting the university to Sarkaghat only causes needless disruption to students and the public,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur also lashed out at the decision, calling it an act of “narrow-minded politics” and “administrative confusion.” He accused the Sukhu-led government of reversing projects initiated by previous governments instead of delivering on new developmental commitments.

“More than half of their tenure is over, yet instead of ushering in progress, they are cancelling tenders, recalling sanctioned funds and shutting down functioning institutions,” Thakur said. “This move reflects a lack of vision and direction.”

The criticism extended to the ruling Congress itself, with senior leader and former minister Prakash Chaudhary expressing disapproval. He said the university was established at Nerchowk due to the efforts of former leaders such as Virbhadra Singh and Kaul Singh Thakur. Chaudhary said he would request the CM to reconsider the decision.

In a dramatic show of dissent, Chaudhary walked off the stage during the Independence Day celebrations at Sarkaghat, where CM Sukhu had made the announcement.

Local trade bodies, religious groups and residents have also joined the protest, accusing the government of political bias. A memorandum demanding immediate rollback of the decision has been submitted to the Governor by the BJP.

As the controversy deepens, pressure is mounting on the state government to clarify its stance.