Doctor Who? Physios up in arms over Congress chief's complaint
Updated: May 4th, 2024
 |
| Physiotherapist Organisations |
Is a physiotherapist a doctor? Your answer would put on one side of a dramatic protest that unfolded in Vadodara today, when angry physiotherapists took to the streets to demand justice for their hurt feelings.
At the root of the furore is the allegation that physiotherapist Hemang Joshi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for Lok Sabha 2024, is not really a doctor.
The complaint, filed by Rutvij Joshi, Vadodara Congress president, states that the other Joshi violated the model code of conduct at a May 3 election rally. It says he used the title of “Doctor” falsely, in an attempt to manipulate and misguide voters, and gain public sympathy ahead of the vote on May 7.
Hemang Joshi’s affidavit submitted to the election commission omits the prefix, which is nevertheless found across his campaign materials. The complaint, filed with the district collector, cites Indian Medical Association guidelines. The IMA website, citing a Supreme Court ruling from 1998, says: “physiotherapists are not allowed to portray themselves as registered medical practitioners by prefixing the word ‘Dr’ with their name.” Only those who have successfully completed an MBBS degree may use the term to denote their role as medical practitioners, it says.
But local physiotherapist groups are having none of it. Bearing banners and placards at a protest near Chakli Circle in the city’s Alkapuri area today, they demanded that the Congress chief apologize and withdraw his complaint against the young BJP contender.
The BJP stand is based on a resolution by the Indian Council of Physiotherapy allowing its members to use the term.
Joshi’s nomination, a last-minute addition to the BJP ticket, came after incumbent MP Ranjan Bhatt decided not to run this year over personal reasons. Hemang Joshi goes up against Jashpalsinh Padhiyar from the Congress, which seems desperate to regain its historical influence in a constituency that has seen BJP dominance since the late 1990s.
Also read:
