Pune: The state govt has called a meeting on Tuesday to temper down tensions between homeopathy associations and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) over the order that Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) grant registration to BHMS medical practitioners with Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP).A meeting was held on Thursday when medical education minister Hasan Mushrif instructed MMC to begin registrations of the CCMP-BHMS medical practitioners, but the council failed to do so on Monday. The two associations issued fresh threats of a strike by evening, following which the govt called for another meeting on Tuesday.MMC registrar Dr Rajesh Waghmare said, ”About 15 representatives from both sides will put forward their arguments during the meeting that has been organised because both parties are threatening to protest. The govt wants them to reconcile. A decision will be taken on CCMP-BHMS medical practitioners’ registration for which 2,000 applications have been received.”MMC administrator Dr Vinky Rughwani said, ”The state govt had told us to begin registrations from Monday.” Rughwani refused to comment on why the MMC did not start the process.On Monday, homeopathy associations accused the IMA of delaying the registrations through undue influence over MMC. The former threatened to march to the MMC office in Mumbai on Tuesday.At the same time, IMA issued a statement that read: “IMA Maharashtra and other like-minded medical associations are issuing a clear warning that if the govt proceeds with any such decision, the doctor members of all these organisations will begin an immediate withdrawal of services from Tuesday morning. Outpatient services as well as emergency services will be shut down.”President of the CCMP Homeopathic Doctors Association, Maharashtra, Dr Balkrishna Gaikwad said, ”An indefinite protest will commence, if MMC does not grant registration to CCMP-qualified doctors. In 2014, the govt had amended the law to authorise CCMP-qualified homeopathic doctors to practice modern medicine. Subsequently, thousands of doctors completed the necessary training and met all eligibility criteria. However, the issue of MMC registration has remained pending for years. During the Thursday meeting, Mushrif again instructed MMC to begin registrations and abide by the govt’s previous circular. However, the council stalled the process.”He said that on Monday, numerous CCMP-qualified practitioners from various parts of Maharashtra waited outside the MMC office for registration that did not happen. “They have repeatedly submitted representations, held meetings and followed up with the govt and MMC, but no concrete decision has been reached, so far. Govt of Maharashtra, medical education department and the medical council must intervene immediately and ensure justice. Otherwise, the scope of the protest will spread across Maharashtra and the concerned administration will bear full responsibility for the consequences.”Meanwhile, president of IMA (Maharashtra chapter) Dr Santosh Kulkarni said, “It has come to our notice that some homeopathy doctors are attempting to obtain registration from MMC by staging a sit-in protest. The govt must not yield to such pressure and grant registration to BHMS practitioners. We will strongly condemn such a move. The act is illogical, unscientific and likely to have an adverse impact on public health.”The IMA’s statement further said: “The decision arises from serious concern over patient safety, professional standards in the medical profession and long-term consequences of any policy decision blurring the distinction between different systems of medicine and undermining the importance of qualified allopathic medical care. We call upon the Govt of Maharashtra to immediately reconsider any such move. A detailed programme of agitation and further course of action will be announced shortly.”Applications have been pending since Sept 2025 despite the govt circular to MMC to initiate the registration process. The IMA has been opposing the govt decision saying that a one-year CCMP course by a BHMS practitioner cannot equate to five years training of an MBBS student.
