06 August,2026 09:25 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The Bombay High Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the statewide protest and directed resident doctors to return to work. Representational Pic
The Maharashtra State Association of Resident Doctors (Central MARD) on Thursday withdrew its statewide strike against the proposed implementation of the BHMS-CCMP framework, following directions from the Bombay High Court to resume duties.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Central MARD said that the decision to end the strike was taken in deference to the court's directions and in adherence to the rule of law. The association clarified that the agitation was not withdrawn due to the acceptance or resolution of its demands.
The Bombay High Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the statewide protest and directed resident doctors to return to work. Central MARD said the detailed written order is expected within the next one to two days.
The doctors' body maintained that it was not willing to withdraw the agitation at this stage but decided to comply with the court's order. It stressed that its concerns over the BHMS-CCMP framework remain unresolved.
Central MARD has demanded that the BHMS-CCMP registration process be halted until the final court verdict and has opposed implementation of the framework without a comprehensive, transparent and scientifically validated regulatory mechanism to protect patient safety and the standards of modern medical practice.
The association said discussions with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are expected soon to address the concerns raised by resident doctors. The future course of action will be decided after consultations with local MARD units and other stakeholders.
Earlier in the day, the Bombay High Court ordered resident doctors in Maharashtra to immediately withdraw their statewide strike, expressing serious concern over the impact of the agitation on patient care and warning that protesting doctors could face salary cuts if they failed to resume work.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad took suo motu cognisance of the strike and directed resident doctors to immediately return to duty.
The court said while every citizen has the legal right to protest, such demonstrations cannot come at the cost of patients' lives.
"We are worried about the health of the thousands of patients and also the residents of Maharashtra," the bench observed, reported the PTI.
Questioning the decision to continue the strike, the judges remarked that even if the doctors ultimately succeeded in their agitation, they would not be able to undo the harm caused to patients during the protest.
"Why are you resorting to a strike at the cost of patients? Tomorrow you may succeed in your agitation, but then will you be able to bring back the lives of those patients who may have died during the strike?" the bench asked, according to the PTI.
The High Court cautioned that the wages of resident doctors could be withheld if they failed to immediately report back to work.
The bench also expressed concern over reports that doctors were considering suspending Intensive Care Unit (ICU) services if the deadlock with the state government continued, observing that such a move could have grave consequences for critically ill patients.
(with PTI inputs)
