Maharashtra CCMP row: After black ribbon protest, doctors to hold strike tomorrow

Mumbai: The protest against the State Government's decision to register the CCMP-qualified homoeopathic doctors with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), Mumbai, is now escalating further.

Opposing the Government's decision on the issue, the doctors under the Central Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), BMC MARD and ASMI held a peaceful black ribbon protest on Tuesday.

In a joint Press Release dated 16.09.2025, the doctors referred to the Maharashtra Medical Council's recent decision to allow homeopathic practitioners with a six-month CCMP course to register under the MMC and mentioned in the release, "This move undermines years of rigorous allopathic training, threatens patient safety, and compromises the credibility of evidence-based medicine. Such a decision is nothing less than an act of playing with public health - in effect, playing with people’s lives - and therefore demands our strongest collective opposition."

"In response, Central MARD, BMC MARD and ASMI will hold a peaceful symbolic protest on 16th September 2025, during duty hours, by wearing black ribbons on the arm. The protest will be silent, dignified, and without disruption to patient care. We urge all MBBS students, Interns, Resident Doctors, Faculty members and Hospital staff to join in solidarity to safeguard medical standards and protect public health," the release further added.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has already announced to hold a token strike tomorrow, i.e., on 18.09.2025. The doctors under the Maharashtra Senior Resident Doctor Association have also decided to join the token strike on Thursday by withdrawing from all elective services on that day.

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"If the Government does not reverse this decision immediately, all senior resident doctors across government and corporate medical colleges in Maharashtra will also join the one day token strike, with withdrawal from all elective services on 18th September 2025. Let it be noted clearly – the responsibility for the disruption of services will lie solely with the Government if this regressive and hazardous decision is not withdrawn at once," the association announced in a letter addressed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavisji.

They have demanded an immediate withdrawal of the MMC notice allowing CCMP homoeopaths to get registered. Further, they have sought an assurance that only fully qualified MBBS doctors will be granted licenses to practice modern medicine and there would be no dilution of medical standards under political or administrative pressures.

"Healthcare is the backbone of society, and it cannot be compromised for expediency. We urge you to act now before irreparable damage is done to the trust of people and the dignity of the medical profession," the association has mentioned in the letter.

Apart from the senior resident doctors, all the government doctors under the Association of Medical Officers, Maharashtra have also extended their full support to the one-day strike announced by all private doctors of the IMA Maharashtra from 8:00 AM on 18th September 2025 to 8:00 AM on 19th September 2025.

The association has apologized to the public for any inconvenience caused by this strike. However, it has clarified that this strike is not for any professional gain of the doctors, but for the safety of the patients. It pointed out how the State has granted permission to the Homoeopathy practitioners registered with CCMP to treat patients using modern medicine (Allopathy), and mentioned that "This decision poses a serious threat to patient safety."

"Allowing practitioners with minimal training in allopathy to treat illnesses using allopathic methods is dangerous. As government doctors, our duty is not only to treat patients, but also to safeguard the overall health of the public. That is why we are observing this strike on 18th September — to awaken the government to this critical issue," the association mentioned in an appeal to the public, while urging the public in general to extend their moral support to the movement.

The junior resident doctors under Central MARD have also decided to join the token strike tomorrow, in protest of "this unscientific move". Issuing a press release today, they have announced that during the strike, routine OPD and elective services will remain suspended. However, emergency services will remain functional, the association has announced.

Besides, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has extended full support to the Maharashtra doctors' strike tomorrow. "Resident doctors across Maharashtra and India stand united in opposing this decision. FAIMA reiterates that only those trained through modern medicine (MBBS and further recognized degrees) should be granted registration in the Medical Council.

Issuing a statement on the matter, the President of FAIMA Dr. Akshay Dongardive mentioned, "On behalf of FAIMA, I extend full support to the strike on 18th September 2025 against the government’s decision to allow homoeopaths into the Maharashtra Medical Council after completion of the CCMP course. This move is unacceptable, dangerous to patient safety, and a direct attack on modern scientific medicine."

"For the first time in recent years, all major medical associations have come together on a single platform to oppose this illogical decision. This unity shows the seriousness of our concerns. We demand the immediate withdrawal of this decision, failing which we will be left with no choice but to escalate our agitation to a national-level strike. Our fight is for the dignity of the medical profession and the protection of safe, evidence-based healthcare for every citizen," he added.

What is the issue?

Registration of CCMP-qualified Homeopaths with MMC:

Recently, the Maharashtra Medical Education and Drugs Department directed the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) to start the registration of homeopathy practitioners who have completed a one-year Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP).

This resulted in a strong protest among the medical practitioners across the State. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that IMA had termed the Government's decision as "dangerous" and "a threat to public health", and it had also highlighted that the government's order was in contempt of court as the matter was already pending before the High Court.

The association has demanded an immediate stay on the decision to register CCMP doctors in the Maharashtra Medical Council and urged the Government not to implement any decisions until the pending High Court case is resolved. As per the association, only fully trained and qualified MBBS doctors should be granted licenses for modern medicine.

The Maharashtra chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also warned to initiate a one-day statewide token strike on 18.09.2025 if the Government circular allowing Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) registration of homeopathic medical practitioners is not withdrawn.

Apart from IMA, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has also criticised the Government's decision and requested the State Medical Council to withdraw the notification and "safeguard the integrity of modern medicine registration under MMC."

Despite the ongoing protests, MMC has decided to comply with the government directive as it has announced the launch of a dedicated portal for the registration of the CCMP-qualified doctors.