Medical fraternity reacts sharply to no election

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Kolhapur: The state Cabinet’s approval on Tuesday of a proposal to alter the structure of the Maharashtra Medical Council has triggered strong backlash from the state’s medical fraternity. Many termed it as an attempt to curtail institutional democracy.

At the heart of the controversy is the government’s move to replace the existing electoral mechanism with a fully nominated body. Doctors argue that if elections to the Council are effectively scrapped in favour of government appointed members, it could set a precedent for undermining electoral processes across professional bodies. Some have gone further, questioning whether such a rationale, if extended, would erode the very basis of elected representation in legislative institutions.

The Council, which regulates medical practice in the state—including registration, professional conduct and disciplinary oversight—is currently in the midst of an election process. Notably, this process follows judicial intervention. The stakeholders had approached the Bombay High Court three years ago seeking directions to conduct elections. However, with little progress for over two years, the matter escalated to the Supreme Court, which subsequently paved the way for the ongoing election schedule.

Voting Schedule

The government’s decision, however, has reversed the procedure. The move, cleared even as the election process is underway and without a formal legislative amendment, is expected to invite fresh legal scrutiny.

“The rationale behind scrapping elections must be clearly articulated. If a reputed institution’s democratic structure is dismantled mid-election, it raises serious questions of legality and precedent,” said Dr Shivkumar Utturkar, former president of the Council.

Echoing similar concerns, Dr Milind Deshpande, a senate member of the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, said that any perceived shortcomings in the Council’s functioning should be addressed through reform rather than by dismantling its democratic framework.

Historical Facts

The Bombay Medical Council, established in 1912, with jurisdiction over then Bombay Presidency. It was reconstituted under the Maharashtra Medical Council Act, 1965. The Act provided for a balanced composition—nine members elected by medical practitioners and nine nominated by the government.

The new proposal seeks to expand the Council to 23 members—all of whom would be government appointees.