A doctor who was allegedly assaulted by a Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) corporator inside a civic-run hospital in Maharashtra's Thane district has resigned from his position and left the city, claiming he fears for his safety following the shocking incident.
Speaking to NDTV, the doctor said he no longer feels safe working in Thane after the alleged assault at the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC)-run Shastri Nagar Hospital.
"I have resigned because there is a lot of fear. Goons are watching us, and I have already left the city. They are very dangerous people. The other doctors may continue working there, but I cannot. I will not go back there again," the doctor said.
The resignation comes just days after a video purportedly showing the assault on doctors and hospital staff went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage among the medical fraternity and leading to protests by healthcare workers across the region.
What Happened?
According to the police, the incident occurred on Monday evening after doctors Srishti Bawiskar and Vaibhav Salunkhe advised the family of a newborn to shift the infant to another hospital because no beds were available in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
The patient's relatives allegedly contacted Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre, who reportedly arrived at the hospital with several supporters.
Police alleged that the group verbally abused and physically assaulted the two doctors as well as other hospital staff. Dr. Vaibhav Salunkhe reportedly sustained injuries during the attack.
FIR Registered After Doctors' Protest
Hospital authorities, led by KDMC Medical Health Officer Dr. Deepa Shukla, approached the police late on Monday night. However, an FIR was not immediately registered, triggering criticism from doctors and medical associations.
Following the circulation of the assault video and mounting pressure from the Indian Medical Association (IMA), doctors and hospital employees launched a "work-stop" protest on Tuesday.
The IMA's Kalyan and Dombivli units warned that private hospitals and clinics across the region would suspend services if police failed to take action against those responsible.
Subsequently, police registered an FIR against Ramesh Mhatre, four male associates, and one woman under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges include assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from performing official duties, voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, intentional insult, unlawful assembly, and rioting.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Suhas Nemade confirmed that Mhatre had been arrested and that further investigation into the incident is underway.
Political Reactions
The incident has also sparked a political row in Maharashtra.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray questioned whether the state government would act against a corporator belonging to the ruling alliance, asking if such alleged "goondagiri" would be tolerated.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, who is also a medical doctor, condemned the alleged assault and assured that strict legal as well as disciplinary action would be taken against anyone found guilty.
Concerns Over Safety of Medical Professionals
The doctor's resignation has intensified concerns over the safety of healthcare professionals in government hospitals. Medical associations have repeatedly demanded stronger legal protection for doctors, arguing that violence against healthcare workers not only endangers medical staff but also disrupts essential public health services.
With one doctor leaving the city out of fear and investigations still ongoing, the incident has once again reignited the debate over ensuring a safe working environment for medical professionals across India.
