Mumbai, July 8 (IANS) The alleged assault on women doctors and hospital staff by a Shiv Sena corporator in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation area has triggered sharp political reactions in Maharashtra, with leaders from the Opposition accusing the ruling alliance of misusing power and demanding strict action against those responsible.

Meanwhile, state ministers condemned the incident, describing it as unacceptable and assuring that appropriate action would be taken.

Speaking to reporters, Shiv Sena-UBT MLA Aaditya Thackeray said: “I have asked the government and I have asked the Chief Minister to take action not only to arrest that corporator Ramesh Mhatre… but also to disqualify him from the post of the corporator, arrest him and parade him across Dombivli and Kalyan so that everybody knows that you cannot attack anybody like this, especially a doctor or a nurse, be it a female doctor or a male doctor or a nurse…”

NCP-SP leader Rohit Pawar termed the incident an example of ‘hooliganism’ and alleged that those in power were responsible for such behaviour.

“This is hooliganism, and it is being carried out by those in government. MLAs and corporators from the ruling party are engaging in such behaviour. What happened to the doctor was completely wrong. The doctor had clearly explained that there was no space available in the hospital. The patient was pregnant, and there was a possibility of complications involving both the mother and the child. If any emergency had occurred without an available NICU bed, it could have put their lives at risk,” he said.

He also condemned this incident and said, “Therefore, the doctor advised the family to temporarily shift the patient to a private hospital until further arrangements could be made. At that point, a ruling-party corporator allegedly entered the hospital and assaulted women doctors and staff. We strongly condemn this incident and stand firmly with the doctors.”

Congress MLA Nana Patole said that the ruling alliance had become arrogant because of its overwhelming majority.

“I have been saying for many days that this arrogance stems from the massive mandate the alliance received. They believe they are permanently in power and have started behaving like rulers. That arrogance has reached such an extent that they assaulted a woman doctor and nurses. We strongly condemn this. This is the Maharashtra of Savitribai Phule, where respect for women has always been a matter of pride. Even Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj upheld these values. We will raise this issue and demand immediate action from the government,” Patole said.

Congress leader Aslam Shaikh also criticised the ruling dispensation, alleging that it was “intoxicated with power”.

“The government believes that because it is in power, nothing will happen to its members. You are assaulting women and doctors; you should be ashamed. If there is a shortage of facilities in a government hospital, it is the responsibility of the government to address it. Whether it is a municipal hospital or a state-run hospital, providing proper healthcare infrastructure is the government’s duty. Instead of improving facilities, they are using power to intimidate women and doctors,” he said.

NCP MLA Saroj Ahire also condemned the incident and said grievances should be addressed through proper legal and administrative channels.

“I condemn this incident. If anyone has a complaint, they should approach the authorities, the Deputy Chief Minister, or the Chief Minister. Raising a hand against a woman is unacceptable. I strongly condemn it,” she said.

Maharashtra Minister Meghana Bordikar described the incident as unfortunate and said no public representative should behave in such a manner.

“Doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers always strive to provide the best possible treatment to patients. An FIR has already been registered, and we will ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future,” she said.

Minister Prakashrao Abitkar also stressed that everyone must maintain proper conduct.

“We believe everyone should follow a code of conduct. Action will be taken against whoever is found responsible,” he said.

Another Minister, Yogesh Kadam, said he had not yet received detailed information about the case but maintained that any assault on doctors was unacceptable.

“If such an assault has taken place, it is completely wrong and unacceptable. Whatever grievance anyone may have had should have been raised before the concerned department or authorities. Physical assault is never the solution,” he said.

Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, however, said he had not seen any video showing corporator Mhatre assaulting a woman doctor.

“The footage I have seen only shows a scuffle. However, the larger issue is the functioning of civil hospitals across Maharashtra. I have been associated with them for over 40 years. At times, I have observed an attitude among some government employees that they will receive their salaries regardless of whether patients receive treatment or not. That issue also needs attention,” Gaikwad said.

Maharashtra Minister Bharatshet Gogawale said Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde would review the matter before taking a decision.

“I watched the incident on television. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will first understand what exactly happened, why it happened, and under what circumstances before taking an appropriate decision,” he said.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Police have arrested three people in connection with the assault at the Kalyan-Dombivli hospital, where the incident allegedly took place under the leadership of Shiv Sena corporator Mhatre. A CCTV video of the assault went viral on social media, triggering widespread outrage.

Police officials said the corporator would also be arrested. Assistant Commissioner of Police Suhas Hemade stated that legal action would be initiated against Mhatre and that he would be taken into custody.

The incident occurred on July 6. Although an FIR has been registered against the corporator, he had not been arrested at the time the three other accused were taken into custody.

According to hospital officials, the violence was triggered after doctors informed the family of a pregnant woman that the newborn might require treatment in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). As all NICU beds in the hospital were occupied, the doctors advised the family to consider shifting the patient to another hospital with available facilities.

CCTV footage showed the corporator and several men entering a room inside the hospital and allegedly punching and slapping doctors and hospital staff. The assault continued for more than three minutes.

One of the women doctors was seen attempting to use her mobile phone during the attack. She appeared to resist attempts by the attackers to snatch her phone and stepped behind a desk while trying to make a call. Moments later, the corporator was seen striking her from behind with enough force to knock the phone out of her hand before allegedly continuing to assault other hospital staff. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from political leaders and medical professionals, with demands for swift and strict action against those responsible.

–IANS

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