The alleged suicide of a 30-year-old contractual nurse in Jaipur has intensified protests across Rajasthan over the removal of thousands of contractual healthcare workers from government hospitals. The deceased, Deepak Charwal, reportedly took the extreme step after learning that his services had been terminated under the state's decision to discontinue the engagement of contractual nursing staff employed through placement agencies.
Deepak, a resident of Dausa district, had been working at Jaipur's Women's Hospital for the past three years. According to fellow nursing staff, he reported for duty earlier this week but was informed that his employment had been terminated. Colleagues also alleged that attendance registers for the affected workers were removed from the hospital, effectively ending their engagement.
Coworkers said Deepak was deeply distressed by the sudden loss of his job. While many contractual nurses joined demonstrations against the government's decision, Deepak allegedly returned home and consumed poison. He later died, sparking widespread anger among healthcare workers.
Following his death, nursing staff staged protests outside Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, demanding justice for Deepak and the reinstatement of terminated employees. The demonstrations also received political support, with Congress MLAs Rafiq Khan and Amin Kagzi joining the protesters.
Family members said Deepak was the sole breadwinner of the household. He leaves behind a four-year-old child, and his wife is reportedly pregnant. Relatives stated that he had been under severe mental stress due to concerns about unemployment and the financial future of his family. His father-in-law said he had been worried for several days about how he would support his family after losing his job.
The controversy stems from the Rajasthan government's decision to remove approximately 6,500 contractual nursing personnel who had been working in government hospitals through private placement agencies. Many of these workers were recruited during the previous Ashok Gehlot-led government, particularly after 2022, when contractual hiring increased significantly.
The state government has decided to fill nursing vacancies through a formal recruitment process and appoint candidates on a five-year contractual basis. However, the dismissed nursing staff argue that they should either be regularised or given priority in the ongoing recruitment process for 3,000 Nursing Officer positions.
Deepak's death has further fuelled resentment among affected workers, with protests spreading to multiple parts of Rajasthan. Demonstrators accuse the government of disregarding the livelihoods of thousands of healthcare workers who suddenly lost their jobs and are demanding immediate intervention to address their concerns.
