Maha doctors stage statewide strike over Satara doctor's death, OPD services hit

Mumbai: As part of a statewide strike organised by Central MARD (Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors), demanding justice for the Satara doctor who died by suicide, leaving a note on her palm, accusing a police officer and a software engineer of rape and mental harassment, thousands of doctors will hold a large rally across Mumbai today. Non-emergency services at several government hospitals will remain suspended until the government takes action.

Despite a week-long protest that began on October 29, the government has not yet met the doctors’ demands. As today marks the final day of the protest, the doctors have warned they will intensify their agitation, join hands with other medical associations, and hold a mass protest at Azad Maidan if the government fails to respond.

The strike today will affect services at all four BMC-run hospitals in Mumbai, with civic MARD units also participating. The demonstration is supported by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Maharashtra State Association of Gazetted Medical Officers (MAGMO), and other medical bodies across the state.

Also read- Maha doctors launch week-long protest over Satara doctor suicide, demand safety reforms

The protest demands the immediate transfer of the case to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and calls for long-pending reforms to ensure doctors’ safety and dignity at government hospitals.

Their 10-point demands include an immediate SIT inquiry, a fast-track judicial process, accountability of negligent officials, systemic reforms for doctor safety, mental health support, workplace dignity, transparency, protection of whistleblowers, public disclosure of findings, and institutional reforms.

Although the state home department appointed senior IPS officer Tejaswi Satpute to head the SIT, MARD general secretary Dr Swapnil Kendre told TOI that the move was merely symbolic.

“The investigating officer is still from the same police station, and the SIT plays only an observational role,” he said.

The association warned that continued government inaction could lead to larger protests at Azad Maidan. The IMA has also stated it will join the agitation if the demands remain unmet.

Meanwhile, resident doctors at Rajiv Gandhi Government Medical College (RGMC), Thane, have begun an indefinite strike from today, November 4, 2025, joining the statewide agitation called by Central MARD. Except for emergency and critical care, all other services, including OPD, ward work, elective procedures, and academics, have been suspended.

In their statement, the RGMC doctors said, “Despite repeated appeals and representations to higher authorities, there has been no satisfactory response, forcing doctors to take this extreme step.”

The IMA’s Maharashtra unit also issued a statement saying, “In the Office Bearers’ Meeting held on October 30, it was unanimously decided that IMA Maharashtra will join hands with MAGMO, MARD, and other associations in the statewide agitation demanding justice for the doctor. We urge all IMA branches and members to participate actively to ensure the safety and dignity of doctors.”

In the press release, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), announced that it will hold an agitation from November 7 to 14, 2025, during which OPD services in private clinics and hospitals will remain closed from November 7 to 13, followed by a total withdrawal of health services across Maharashtra from November 14 onwards if no desired response is received from the government.

Outpatient services in government hospitals across Maharashtra were hit yesterday as doctors went ahead with their two-day strike demanding a speedy and impartial probe into the alleged suicide of a 28-year-old female medical officer posted at the Phaltan Sub-District hospital in Satara last week.

Medical Dialogues has been extensively reporting the details surrounding the doctor’s death and her work-related stress. The woman doctor working at a Phaltan Sub-District Hospital in Maharashtra’s Satara district allegedly died by suicide, leaving a note on her palm, accusing a police officer and a software engineer of rape and mental harassment. Both accused were arrested in connection with the case.

The doctor, hailing from Beed district in the Marathwada region of central Maharashtra and posted at a government hospital in Satara district, was found hanging in a hotel room in Phaltan town on Thursday night. In the suicide note written on her palm, she alleged that police sub-inspector Badane raped her on multiple occasions, while Bankar, a software engineer, mentally harassed her.

Dr Amar Agme, general secretary KEM hospital unit of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), told UNI here that various doctors' associations will not relent till justice is done. “We will not stop until justice is served. If the government fails to act, all remaining medical services will also be suspended,” he warned.

Emergency and ICU services would continue, but OPD and non-emergency duties would be shut down during the two-day strike.

Various unions, including the residential doctors’ body MARD, the senior resident doctors’ association MSRDA and the inter‐hospital doctors’ group ASMI, held a candle‐lit protest march on Sunday last in cities including Mumbai, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. They had accused the authorities of failing to conduct a fair and proper investigation into the doctor’s death.

The state‐wide action marks the first time all major doctors’ organisations, including MAGMO, IMA and AMO, have united for such a protest. Government hospital administrators are working to ensure essential services continue.

Also read- Maha doctors hold candle march demanding justice in Satara doctor case