The Maharashtra chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) decided to suspend its planned 24-hour statewide strike. This strike was originally organized to protest the recent attack on doctors and healthcare staff that occurred at a hospital in Dombivli, perpetrated by Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre.
This decision by the Maharashtra IMA followed the Bombay high court's action of cancelling the bail previously granted to Mhatre and his associates concerning the incident. The strike was set to run from 6 am on July 20 until 6 am on July 21.
Despite suspending the immediate strike, the association issued a warning to the Maharashtra government. They stated that if the high court's ruling is not implemented fully and correctly, the healthcare community will initiate an indefinite statewide protest beginning on August 9, which marks the anniversary of the Quit India Movement.
In a formal statement, the IMA emphasized their expectation that the police forces and the Government of Maharashtra will adhere strictly to the High Court's order, without allowing for any loopholes. They warned that failure by the Maharashtra government to enact the necessary ordinance and meet their demands would lead to the indefinite statewide agitation starting August 9.
The primary demands put forth by the medical community involve making significant changes to the Maharashtra Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act, 2010. These amendments aim to make the existing provisions much stricter and ensure that offenses under this law are non-bailable.
Prior to the high court's intervention, several local medical associations had already announced they would not join the strike after the court revoked the bail given to the accused in the assault at Shastrinagar Municipal Hospital in Dombivli. Similarly, the Association of Medical Consultants (AMC) also withdrew its strike call following the court's directive.
Initially, on July 14, a magistrate's court in Kalyan granted bail to Mhatre based on a personal bond of Rs 50,000, considering his medical state since his arrest. However, the Bombay high court later took cognizance of the situation on its own initiative and stayed the magistrate's order, instructing Mhatre to surrender by 5 pm on Sunday. The next hearing for this case is scheduled for July 22.
The entire case originated from the alleged assault on doctors and nurses that took place on July 6 at Shastrinagar Municipal Hospital in Dombivli, an event that provoked widespread condemnation and protests from the medical sector. Mhatre was apprehended under Sections 132 and 121(1) in connection with an FIR filed at the Vishnunagar Police Station in Dombivli. Police reports indicate that four individuals have been arrested in this case thus far.
The opposition leader in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, commented for the first time on the hunger strike of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, stating that his eviction from Jantar Mantar was a mistake and accusing the government of using force against peaceful protest.
These statements came several hours after Wangchuk was removed from the protest site and taken to VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital for medical observation. His hunger strike, which he began over alleged irregularities in the NEET exam, entered its 21st day.
Reacting to the police actions, Rahul Gandhi accused the Centre of suppressing freedom of expression and emphasized that issues such as exam material leaks, rising education costs, and student suicides cannot be ignored.
In a post on social media platform X, the Congress MP wrote: 'The core principles of the Modi government are Asatya and Hinsa. The eviction of Sonam Wangchuk ji from Jantar Mantar during his non-violent hunger strike is wrong. Material leaks, rising education costs, and student suicides are critical issues for the future of India. No amount of force can stop the students of India and those who love and believe in them from raising these issues.'
Wangchuk was removed from the protest site approximately 48 hours before the planned procession to Parliament, which was scheduled for the opening of the Monsoon Session on Monday. According to eyewitnesses, plainclothes police officers infiltrated the protest site, climbed onto the stage, covered Wangchuk with a white sheet, and then took him away. This operation lasted only a few minutes.
Delhi Police stated that Wangchuk was transferred to the hospital based on the recommendation of medical specialists and in accordance with the directives of the Delhi High Court, citing concerns about his deteriorating health. The Director of Police in New Delhi posted on X: 'He has been transferred to the hospital for necessary medical care... We request protesters at Jantar Mantar to leave this place peacefully as soon as possible.' The police also claimed that protesters attempted to disrupt the exercise, causing brief disorder, but asserted that officers acted 'with maximum restraint.'
Later reports from Safdarjung Hospital confirmed that Wangchuk was in stable but weakened condition due to prolonged fasting and dehydration. The hospital stated: 'Mr. Sonam Wangchuk is hospitalized at Safdarjung Hospital for necessary treatment. He is weak due to prolonged fasting and dehydration. Although he is currently stable, he requires constant observation, monitoring, and treatment to restore his body parameters.'
Wangchuk's wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, questioned the decision to hospitalize him, stating that no treatment should be administered without her consent. She also disputed the police interpretation of the high court order, arguing that it did not mandate the authorities to hospitalize him.
The police actions drew criticism from several opposition leaders, including AAP MP Sanjay Singh, Trinamool Congress leader Sagarika Ghosh, and NCP (SP) chief Sharada Pawar, who accused the Centre of suppressing peaceful dissent.
Earlier this week, the Congress officially expressed support for Wangchuk's protest. On Thursday, Congress organizational general secretary KC Venugopal urged him to end the fast due to his declining health, while assuring that the party would continue to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. On Friday, Congress leader Pawan Khera also met with Wangchuk at Jantar Mantar and expressed concern over his health, noting that the Centre was indifferent to democratic protests.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has been protesting at Jantar Mantar since June 20, demanding the resignation of Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET exam, an investigation into the examination process, and broader reforms in the education system. Wangchuk joined the action on June 28 and has been on an indefinite fast since then.
