June 8, 2025, Panaji Vishwajit Rane, Goa’s Health Minister, may be in trouble in his political career after he made a widely criticized outburst against a senior doctor at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). Sources in the state government said that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is seriously thinking about sacking Rane because of the growing pressure from both the public and medical professionals around the country.
The argument started when Rane burst into GMCH with reporters and loudly yelled at the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) on duty. In a video that has gone viral, the minister threatens the doctor, stating, “Before my BP boils and I take some other action.” This is commonly regarded as a threat of violence. Then he suspended the doctor without giving him a chance to explain or defend himself.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), healthcare workers, and even some of the minister’s own party members all condemned his actions. They said it was a clear case of political overreach and misuse of power. “This isn’t governing; it’s theater.” “It’s shameful for a senior minister to humiliate a doctor on camera for the sake of appearances,” stated a high-ranking IMA official.
Hospital authorities said that the doctor who was suspended was just following routine procedure. The patient in question had been told to have a vitamin B12 shot, which is a normal procedure that is never considered as an emergency. The doctor is said to have told the patient to receive the shot from the outpatient day care program instead than the emergency room. Many individuals think that Rane’s angry reaction was orchestrated to get political points by looking “strict” and “people-friendly.”
“This is a perfect example of how Indian politicians often make doctors look like heroes to the public.” Dr. Sameer Rao, a public health activist, remarked, “All this for a ₹100 vitamin B12 shot.” “And the funny thing is? The same minister drove in a ₹1 crore Range Rover to tell doctors about public service.
Many people on social media were angry, and hashtags like #SuspendRane and #StandWithDoctors became popular on X (previously Twitter) and Instagram. Several tweets likened Rane’s reaction to the ongoing attacks on healthcare workers, who are sometimes called “rich looters” when they raise consultation rates by even ₹100.
Rane hasn’t fully apologized, but he has said that his tone could have been “more measured.” He defended his conduct in an interview with The Times of India, saying that he stood up for patient rights and that he wouldn’t say sorry for performing his job.
But others who work in the Chief Minister’s Office say that Pramod Sawant is quite unhappy with how the situation looks. “It’s too hot.” A top BJP leader close to Sawant reportedly warned, “If we don’t do anything, it will look like the government supports this kind of behavior.” The CM has ordered an internal probe and is thought to be thinking about suspending Rane from the Cabinet to limit the damage.
Legal experts have also spoken out, saying that Rane’s actions may break parts of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), especially Sections 224 (assault or criminal force to stop a public servant from doing his or her job) and 351 (use of criminal force not on serious provocation).
The Indian Medical Association has asked for an apology from the public without any conditions and the quick reinstatement of the doctor who was suspended. If these demands are not addressed, protests and medical strikes are expected to happen, which might put healthcare services in Goa to a complete stop.
One thing is evident as the state watches this political drama play out: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is under more and more strain. Punishing healthcare professionals for following the rules sends a harmful message at a time when they are already under a lot of stress.
The Goa government’s reputation on issues of justice, accountability, and respect for frontline workers may depend on whether Rane is sacked in the next few days.
