The Bombay High Court on Thursday took a stern view of the doctors’ strike and directed the protesting doctors to immediately call off their agitation and return to work. The court made it clear that no compromise with patients’ lives would be tolerated.
During the hearing, the High Court strongly reprimanded the striking doctors, warning that there would be serious consequences if even one patient dies within the next 24 hours due to lack of treatment.
The court also observed that there was no justification for doctors to continue receiving salaries if they were not performing their duties. It said that withholding their salaries would also be considered if they failed to return to work.
High Court Questions Doctors Over Strike
The High Court questioned doctors from both government and private institutions over the strike, asking whether it was appropriate for medical professionals to stop working.
The court asked, “Are you refusing to treat patients? Do you think it is justified to deprive patients of medical treatment?”
The court also strongly criticised MARD (Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors), which is leading the protest.
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Doctors Explain Reason Behind Protest
During the hearing, counsel appearing for the protesting doctors argued that the agitation was against the proposed bridge course for homeopathy doctors.
According to the doctors, students clear the highly competitive NEET examination to become allopathic doctors. Therefore, they argued, it would not be appropriate to grant homeopathy doctors the authority to practise allopathic medicine solely on the basis of a bridge course.
Patient Welfare Is the Top Priority, Says Court
The High Court said it would hear all the arguments put forward by the protesting doctors in detail. However, it stressed that the interests of patients remain paramount.
Accordingly, the court directed all doctors to return to duty immediately after the lunch break and ordered that the strike be called off without delay.
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