On June 7, 2025, Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane stormed into the casualty ward of Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), publicly berating and suspending Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar for alleged “arrogant behaviour” toward a patient. The incident, captured on video and widely circulated, showed Rane berating the senior doctor, demanding he “control his tongue” and “remove his mask” while threatening a suspension that could last “as long as my tenure.”
The spectacle was not just a display of unchecked power—it was a humiliating assault on a dedicated healthcare professional’s dignity. While Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s swift intervention on June 8, overturning the suspension, is a step toward justice, it falls far short of addressing the damage done. Rane’s public apology to Dr. Kuttikar is not just warranted—it’s essential. Anything less undermines the integrity of Goa’s healthcare system and the morale of its medical professionals.
The Incident: A Minister’s Power Trip
The incident stemmed from a complaint by a senior journalist, alleging that Dr. Kuttikar refused an injection for his mother-in-law, a 77-year-old patient requiring daily treatment for a knee condition. The patient, directed to the casualty ward on a public holiday when the outpatient department was closed, was reportedly told the ward was for emergencies only and advised to seek treatment elsewhere.
Rane, during a surprise visit to GMCH, seized on this complaint to confront Dr. Kuttikar. In a video that sparked outrage, Rane is seen storming into the ward, scolding the doctor in front of staff and patients, and ordering his immediate suspension. “You are here to serve poor people,” Rane lectured, accusing Kuttikar of indifference and threatening prolonged disciplinary action.
While patient care is paramount, Rane’s approach was neither constructive nor professional. Instead of addressing the issue through proper channels—such as a formal inquiry or discussion with hospital authorities—he chose public humiliation, undermining due process and basic decency. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Goa branch condemned Rane’s “unruly act,” arguing that the matter could have been handled privately to avoid demoralizing a respected doctor.
Former Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Girish Chodankar called Rane’s conduct “utterly disgraceful, blatantly biased, unprofessional, and a clear abuse of power.” The public outcry, amplified by social media, reflects a broader sentiment: Rane’s actions were not about accountability but about asserting dominance.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s decision to overrule Rane’s suspension order was a necessary correction. On June 8, Sawant announced, “I have reviewed the issue at Goa Medical College and held discussions with the Health Minister. I want to assure the people of Goa that Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar will not be suspended.” He also praised the “tireless efforts and invaluable service” of Goa’s doctors, signaling support for the medical community. This move, coming amid intense criticism from the IMA and opposition leaders, was a pragmatic step to defuse the controversy and restore confidence in GMCH, Goa’s largest state-run hospital.
However, Sawant’s announcement does not go far enough. While it reinstates Dr. Kuttikar’s position, it does nothing to address the public humiliation he endured or the chilling effect Rane’s outburst has on healthcare workers. Doctors at GMCH, who serve over 1,000 beds and patients from Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, operate under immense pressure. Publicly shaming a senior doctor without due process sends a message that their dedication is secondary to political grandstanding. The CM’s reversal corrects the immediate injustice but leaves the deeper wound unaddressed: Rane’s reckless behavior and its impact on Dr. Kuttikar’s reputation and morale.
Rane’s partial acknowledgment of his conduct—“I accept that my tone and words could have been more measured”—is insufficient. While he expressed regret for his tone, he defiantly refused to apologize for his actions, framing them as a defense of a “helpless, elderly woman.” This justification glosses over the core issue: his abuse of power. Rane’s decision to suspend Dr. Kuttikar on the spot, without an investigation or opportunity for the doctor to respond, violated principles of fairness and due process. His public tirade, witnessed by staff, patients, and now the world via video, inflicted lasting damage on Kuttikar’s professional standing. A private expression of regret does not undo the public nature of the offense.
A public apology is necessary for several reasons. First, it would restore Dr. Kuttikar’s dignity and affirm his value to Goa’s healthcare system. Kuttikar, as GMCH’s Chief Medical Officer, has dedicated his career to serving patients under challenging conditions. Publicly humiliating him risks alienating not just him but the entire medical fraternity, potentially discouraging doctors from working in Goa’s public hospitals. Second, an apology would signal accountability from Rane, who has a history of heavy-handed actions, including suspending health officers for alleged corruption in May 2025. Without a public reckoning, Rane’s behavior sets a dangerous precedent for other officials to wield power recklessly.
Third, a public apology would demonstrate respect for the medical profession and the patients it serves. Rane’s claim that he acted to protect patients is undermined by his approach, which disrupted the very healthcare system he oversees. As the IMA noted, proper channels exist for addressing grievances. By bypassing them, Rane prioritized optics over patient care, potentially destabilizing trust in GMCH. A sincere apology would show that the government values its healthcare workers as partners, not subordinates to be publicly disciplined.
This incident is not an isolated one. Rane’s pattern of impulsive interventions—such as suspending a doctor in Ponda in 2023 over patient complaints—suggests a governance style that favors theatrics over professionalism. While patient advocacy is critical, it must be balanced with respect for due process and the realities of healthcare delivery. GMCH’s casualty ward, like many public hospital units, operates under strain, with limited staff and resources. If Dr. Kuttikar’s response to the patient was inadequate, it warranted investigation, not a public dressing-down. Rane’s actions risk exacerbating the challenges facing Goa’s healthcare system, including doctor shortages and burnout, by demoralizing those on the front lines.
The opposition, including Congress leaders like Amit Patkar, has called for Rane’s resignation, arguing that his “erratic and unstable” behavior disqualifies him from leading the health ministry. While resignation may be a step too far, a public apology is a reasonable demand. It would not only address the harm done to Dr. Kuttikar but also set a tone of accountability for public officials. The CM’s intervention, while welcome, risks being perceived as a political maneuver to quell outrage rather than a genuine stand for justice unless paired with a clear rebuke of Rane’s conduct.
Goa’s healthcare system depends on the trust and dedication of its doctors, who work tirelessly to serve a diverse and demanding patient population. Minister Vishwajit Rane’s public humiliation of Dr. Rudresh Kuttikar was an abuse of power that undermined that trust. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s decision to overturn the suspension is a necessary first step, but it does not erase the damage inflicted in full public view. Rane must publicly apologize to Dr. Kuttikar—not just for his tone, but for bypassing due process and demeaning a professional who has served Goa’s people. Without this, the government risks signaling that political posturing trumps fairness and respect. For the sake of Dr. Kuttikar, Goa’s medical community, and the patients they serve, Rane must do the right thing. A public apology is not just owed—it’s overdue.