Why doctors are protesting in Maharashtra | Explained

Published 6 August 2026 · local

The story so far: The allopathic medical bodies, including the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), continue to protest on the second day, August 6

The story so far: The allopathic medical bodies, including the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), continue to protest on the second day, August 6, 2026, as there has been no response to their demands concerning the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) registration for Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP) qualified BHMS practitioners. Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court has taken cognisance of the doctors’ protest on Thursday (August 6, 2026). It has directed protesting doctors to call off their strike immediately and resume work, assuring that the protesters’ perspective will be heard but ordered the strike to be withdrawn without delay. What was the government’s controversial decision? The issue flared after a government resolution (GR) on Monday allowed homeopaths to practice modern medicine. The first registration was completed later that day. “The government representatives met with us, but nothing materialised. No written assurance for our demands has been provided. However, the matter will be discussed with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis,” said BMC MARD president Dr. Rutuja Raut. At least 2,000 doctors across the State have participated in the protest. On the second day, the doctors were only handling emergency services; all other services were withdrawn. The doctors have been protesting because they believe it will blur the distinction between allopathic and BHMS practitioners.

They argue that a bridge degree of one year cannot be equated with the five-and-a-half years of rigorous MBBS training. The association has demanded the suspension of the MMC registration process for CCMP-qualified BHMS practitioners and requested that the decision be held until the High Court delivers its final judgment. In response, the doctors’ body, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), has challenged the registration process before the Bombay High Court. What is the stance of the fraternity? In Mumbai, MARD-associated doctors continue to withdraw routine outpatient department (OPD) services. Following this, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), BMC hospitals — including KEM Hospital, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College & General Hospital (Sion), BYL Nair Hospital, and Dr. R. N. Cooper Hospital — along with others associated with MARD across Maharashtra, have also withdrawn from OPD services. Suyash Dhavane, who practices at Nagpur Government Medical Colleges, highlighted that CCMP cannot compete with the rigorous 5.5 years of MBBS training followed by postgraduate residency. This dilutes the standards of modern medicine and jeopardises patients’ healthcare. Maharashtra’s doctors are no strangers to strikes. They have been protesting regularly over attacks on doctors, staff shortages, poor accommodation facilities, and the registration of homeopathy practitioners, which has become the latest flashpoint of the protest.