Medical body demands halt to registration of homeopaths in Maharashtra

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has expressed grave concerns regarding the Maharashtra Medical Education Department's alleged administrative mishandling in the registration of BHMS-CCMP doctors with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC). IMA spokesperson Dr. Alka Kshirsagar warned that doctors affiliated with the association may resort to a comprehensive statewide protest if the state government fails to take corrective measures.

The Medical Education Department had issued a circular on August 18 directing the MMC to refrain from registering homeopaths who had completed the certificate course in modern pharmacology (BHMS-CCMP) until the Bombay High Court's final ruling. The Bombay High Court ordered the Medical Education Department to adhere to the Government Resolution (GR) dated August 3, 2026, and to establish a standard operating procedure in collaboration with the IMA, MARD, and other stakeholder organizations.

Despite the ongoing deliberation through the established institutional channels, the department issued another communication on August 20, 2026, canceling the August 18 circular and instructing the MMC to resume the registration process immediately. This issuance of conflicting directives within a brief timeframe has created significant confusion among medical professionals and raised critical questions about the department's functioning, accountability, and decision-making processes.

Dr. Kshirsagar accused the Medical Education Minister Hassan Mushrif and the principal secretary of alleged administrative shortcomings and denounced the handling of this sensitive, sub judice matter as "extremely irresponsible." If the department does not halt the MMC registration of BHMS-CCMP doctors immediately, the IMA stated it will file a formal contempt of court petition in the Bombay High Court.