Maharashtra Puts Homoeopathy Doctor Registrations on Hold After Backlash
Maharashtra Puts Homoeopathy Doctor Registrations on Hold After Backlash
Controversial move to allow cross-system practice paused following IMA protests and legal concerns
In a significant reversal, the Maharashtra government has put on hold its June 30 notification that allowed homoeopathy practitioners to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) after completing a short-term Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP). The order, originally set to take effect on July 15, would have effectively permitted homoeopathy doctors to practice modern medicine legally, triggering widespread opposition from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other medical bodies.
The backlash reached its peak this week when IMA leaders met with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday (July 10). Following the meeting, the government suspended the registration process and announced the formation of a committee chaired by the Commissioner of Medical Education to review the objections and submit recommendations within two months. A formal notification was issued on Friday (July 11) confirming the suspension.
“The Maharashtra Medical Council is hereby directed to immediately stop the process of registration of homoeopathy practitioners until further action is taken on the committee’s report,” the state government said in the circular.
IMA Maharashtra president Dr Santosh Kadam welcomed the decision, calling it a necessary move to protect patient safety and public trust. “If homoeopathy practitioners are allowed to register with the MMC after a bridge course, it would open the door to practicing modern medicine this is crosspathy and goes against medical ethics,” he said.
The IMA had earlier filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court, arguing that allowing cross-system practice could undermine standards in patient care and also violate court rulings. Dr Kadam also warned that the move could be seen as contempt of court, a concern he said CM Fadnavis acknowledged during their meeting.
The controversy also saw support from other quarters. The Maharashtra Senior Resident Doctors’ Association (MSRDA) voiced its opposition to the move and met with Opposition Leader Ambadas Danve, urging him to raise the issue in the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly monsoon session. A 24-hour token strike and a rally in Mumbai on July 14 were planned by the IMA but later called off after the state government’s assurance.
Meanwhile, defenders of the CCMP course, such as Dr R S Indulkar, advisor to the Maharashtra Homoeopathy Council, argued that the initiative was meant to address the shortage of doctors in rural areas. He maintained that the training equips homoeopathy practitioners with the basic knowledge to provide primary care where MBBS doctors are not available.
Despite this, the government has decided to pause the implementation and allow the expert panel, which includes representatives from the MMC, Maharashtra Homoeopathy Council, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, and other stakeholders, to evaluate the matter.
Until the committee submits its report, no new registrations under the CCMP route will be allowed, marking a temporary but critical win for the IMA and other opposing medical groups. The decision now rests on how the expert committee navigates the tension between healthcare access in underserved areas and the ethical boundaries of medical practice.
