MUMBAI: Two doctors who were allegedly assaulted by Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre at a civic-run hospital in Dombivli have resigned.The hospital staff said they were deeply traumatised by the incident that has triggered outrage across Maharashtra’s medical fraternity, news agency PTI reported.The resignations came as doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers protested outside the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Thane District Civil Hospital, where Mhatre was admitted after his arrest. The protesters demanded his disqualification as corporator and stronger security measures for healthcare professionals.According to colleagues, both doctors submitted their resignations to the private agency through which they were employed. Family members of Dr Baviskar also expressed concern over the safety of doctors working at the hospital, PTI reported.
Doctors protest as accused corporator receives treatment
Soon after being arrested on Wednesday night, Mhatre complained of chest pain and was admitted to the Thane District Civil Hospital.Medical staff gathered outside the ICU, raising slogans against attacks on doctors while demanding strict action against the corporator.Additional district civil surgeon Dr Dheeraj S Mahangade condemned the assault but said the hospital would continue to provide treatment.“As doctors, providing treatment is our duty, but under no circumstances can an attack on medical professionals be justified,” he said.He added that Mhatre has only one kidney and suffers from high blood pressure, and was likely to be discharged by Thursday evening or Friday morning.
How the assault unfolded
The incident occurred on Monday evening at the KDMC-run Shastri Nagar Hospital after doctors advised the family of a newborn to shift the baby to another hospital because no Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) beds were available.Upset over the advice, the family allegedly contacted Mhatre, who arrived at the hospital with his supporters.A widely circulated video showed the corporator slapping and punching Dr Salunkhe and striking Dr Baviskar on her hand inside the hospital premises, sparking widespread condemnation.
Court order, arrests and political reactions
A Kalyan court directed police to produce Mhatre immediately after he is discharged from hospital. Police informed the magistrate that the corporator was undergoing treatment, following which the court ordered that he be produced once declared medically fit.Apart from Mhatre, three of his associates have also been arrested.They, along with a woman supporter, have been booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including assault on a public servant, voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, unlawful assembly and rioting.
Assault triggers political outrage
Maharashtra deputy chief minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde reprimanded Mhatre over the assault.Party leader and industries minister Uday Samant said, “Our party’s stand is very clear. It is inappropriate to hit a woman doctor. There was no political intervention, which means we are not endorsing his actions.”Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray demanded Mhatre’s removal from all party and public posts, saying the assault on doctors was unacceptable and questioning the corporator’s immediate hospitalisation after his arrest.The assault has reignited concerns over the safety of healthcare workers, with doctors’ associations demanding stricter security measures and stronger legal protection against violence in hospitals.(With agency inputs)
