A disturbing incident of assault against a female doctor in India has ignited public anger and raised concerns about the safety of medical professionals. The attack, captured on CCTV footage that has gone viral on social media, occurred at the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
The video, lasting just 27 seconds, shows a junior doctor being violently assaulted by a patient. The footage reveals a harrowing scene: the doctor is pulled by her hair and her head is repeatedly slammed against the steel frame of a hospital bed. While the incident unfolds, other doctors in the ward are seen rushing to her aid.
According to reports, the victim, an intern at the hospital, was attacked while working in the Emergency Medicine Department. She detailed the incident in a letter to Dr. RV Kumar, the director and vice-chancellor of the institution, stating that she was “unexpectedly attacked by a patient, Bangaru Raju, who approached me from behind, pulled my hair and began forcibly banging my head against the steel rod of a cot.” She further emphasized the potential for serious harm, stating, “If the patient had been armed with a sharp weapon, the situation could have escalated with severe consequences.”
The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with users expressing frustration and demanding accountability. Many users commented on the video, highlighting the lack of security measures and calling for increased protection for doctors. Some users pointed to the need for a central protection act, while others expressed concern about the government’s inaction in addressing the issue. One user commented, “Kuch nhi hoga. Ham aise hi bhugat te rahenge. Yhi hamari life reh gyi hai” (Nothing will happen. We will continue to suffer. This is our life now). Another said, “Government glorifying unnecessary topics instead of these, and even after watching what’s happening with doctors there’s no action against this.” (The government is glorifying unnecessary topics instead of addressing this, and even after seeing what’s happening to doctors, there’s no action against it).
This incident comes amidst a nationwide outcry for enhanced safety measures for doctors in India. Following the alleged rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, there have been widespread calls for greater security and protection for healthcare workers. The assault in Tirupati serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that doctors face in the line of duty and underscores the urgent need for systemic changes to ensure their safety.
