Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Maharashtra Resident Doctors Launch Indefinite Strike over Homoeopathy Registration
Some doctors in training in the Indian state of Maharashtra are very worried.
The government said doctors who practice homoeopathy can also prescribe regular modern medicines after taking a short six-month course.
The resident doctors think this could be unsafe for patients.
They say the new rule has not been properly checked by scientists or the courts.
So they stopped working at hospitals, except for emergencies, to ask the government to change its decision.
They want the government to wait until the court gives its final answer.
Other doctors' groups, like the Indian Medical Association, support them.
Some homoeopathy doctors disagree and say the change is needed because rural areas do not have enough doctors.
The striking doctors say they are not against homoeopathy itself; they just want safe, clear rules that protect patients.
The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) began an indefinite statewide strike from midnight of August 5 against the government's decision permitting homoeopaths to register under the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) and prescribe allopathic medicines.
The MMC issued a notification on June 30 allowing homoeopaths to prescribe modern medicines after completing a six-month Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP).
MARD demanded immediate suspension of the BHMS-CCMP registration process until a final court verdict, citing the absence of a clear legal and regulatory framework.
During the first 24 hours, emergency and casualty services continued while OPD services, elective procedures, routine duties, and academic activities were suspended; from August 6 all services, including emergency, could be withdrawn without a positive resolution.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and five other medical bodies supported the strike, which was observed in 32 medical colleges including those run by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
- Who
- The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), led by president Atharva Shinde and supported by the Indian Medical Association and five other medical bodies, is striking against the Maharashtra government's policy.
- What
- An indefinite statewide strike (one headline described it as a hunger strike, while reports describe withdrawal from duties) opposing the decision to let homoeopathy practitioners register under the Maharashtra Medical Council and prescribe allopathic medicines.
- When
- The strike began at midnight of August 5; the MMC issued its notification on June 30.
- Where
- Across Maharashtra, including Mumbai (Sir JJ Hospital, Grant Medical College) and Nagpur (GMCH and IGGMC), affecting government medical college hospitals.
- Why
- MARD says the BHMS-CCMP registration lacks a legally sound, scientifically validated regulatory framework and the matter is pending before the courts; it wants registration suspended until the final court verdict.
Opponents (Resident Doctors and Allopathy Side)
Supporters (Homoeopathy Side and Government)
Patient safety and side effects
Opponents (Resident Doctors and Allopathy Side)
Jayesh Lele, representing allopathy at a Mumbai Press Club debate, asked what happens if patients suffer side effects from medicines prescribed by homoeopathic doctors.
Supporters (Homoeopathy Side and Government)
Bahubali Shah, representing homoeopathy, said the move is needed because there are few doctors in rural areas.
Legal and regulatory framework
Opponents (Resident Doctors and Allopathy Side)
MARD says there is no comprehensive, legally sound, transparent and scientifically validated regulatory mechanism, and the matter is pending before the courts; it wants BHMS-CCMP registration suspended until the final verdict.
Supporters (Homoeopathy Side and Government)
The Maharashtra government and MMC proceeded with the June 30 notification permitting homoeopaths to prescribe modern medicines after completing the six-month CCMP course.
Dual registration practice
Opponents (Resident Doctors and Allopathy Side)
Jayesh Lele noted that dual registration of allopathy and homoeopathy doctors by the medical council does not exist in every state.
Supporters (Homoeopathy Side and Government)
Homoeopathy supporters argue that registering homoeopaths helps address the shortage of doctors, especially in rural areas.
- Strike
- Indefinite statewide strike beginning midnight of August 5
- Organising body
- Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), supported by IMA and five other medical bodies
- Core issue
- Homoeopathy practitioners to register under MMC and prescribe allopathic medicines
- MMC notification date
- June 30
- Course in question
- Six-month Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP) under BHMS-CCMP
- MARD demand
- Immediate suspension of BHMS-CCMP registration until the final court verdict
- Services affected
- Emergency/casualty continued for the first 24 hours; OPD, elective procedures, routine duties and academic activities suspended; all services from August 6 without resolution
- Talks outcome
- Government acknowledged issues and said they would be placed before the Chief Minister, but no concrete assurance was given
Sources
Maharashtra resident doctors begin indefinite strike over homoeopathy registration issue
Maha doctors on strike over homeopaths prescribing allopathy
Maharashtra services hit as resident doctors go on hunger strike over registration of homeopaths
Health services hit as Maharashtra resident doctors begin strike over registration of homeopaths
