IMA President-elect assaulted while rescuing colleagues as mob storms Udaipur hospital, violence sparks nationwide outrage from medical fraternity

Jaipur: The alleged brutal assault on the President-Elect of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Rajasthan chapter, and several other doctors at JP Orthopaedic Hospital in Udaipur has sparked uproar among the medical fraternity.

Doctors across the country have expressed outrage, describing the incident as another serious example of rising violence against healthcare workers.

The incident reportedly took place in the ICU of the hospital on Wednesday night after relatives of a critically injured patient allegedly entered the hospital premises, vandalised property, and assaulted doctors and staff following a dispute over treatment. IMA Rajasthan President Dr Gupta reportedly rushed to the hospital after receiving a distress call from colleagues to rescue Dr Sharma and other doctors; he was also allegedly attacked during the chaos.

A video uploaded by the Medical Dialogues team on social media allegedly shows the doctor being beaten by a mob, with his shirt torn apart. The footage also shows a huge crowd gathered on the hospital campus while police personnel attempted to control the situation. Several doctors were reportedly assaulted during the incident, and hospital property was also vandalised. 

Medical Dialogues recently reported that the police have arrested 9 individuals in connection with the case. The incident sparked outrage among the medical fraternity, leading to protests and demands for enhanced security at healthcare facilities.

Also read- Mob assaults doctors, vandalises Udaipur hospital; nine detained

According to reports, the dispute began after a 50-year-old was admitted to JP Orthopaedic hospital following a road accident on Tuesday. He was travelling to Udaipur on his motorcycle when he met with an accident near Kanod, suffering fractures in both arms. Local residents rushed him to the private hospital, where he underwent surgery later that afternoon.

Family members alleged that he did not regain consciousness after the surgery. His brother claimed that the patient was stable till reaching the hospital and admitted himself voluntarily. However, when his health reportedly deteriorated following surgery, tensions escalated between relatives and hospital staff.

The situation intensified around 9 p.m., prompting police personnel from three local police stations to rush to the hospital to bring the situation under control. Doctors alleged that the mob forcibly entered the operating theatre and physically assaulted medical staff.

The State President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), who arrived at the hospital during the disturbance, claimed that he was manhandled. He claimed that Dr Goyal was locked inside the OT and assaulted, while senior doctor Dr Sharma, his son and other staff members were also beaten. Dr Gupta said he too was attacked when he attempted to help colleagues and that his clothes were torn during the assault.

"I was subjected to abusive behaviour, my clothes were torn, and I was dragged along the road. Around 17-18 people physically assaulted me. They tried to kill us but a man saved me from the mob" he added.

Outrage from the medical community

Strongly condemning the incident, the Rajasthan chapter of Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors' Network (IMA-JDN) said that violance has no place in healthcare. Such acts inside a critical care unit are not just unacceptable, they are an attack on the entire medical profession and the trust between patients and doctors, the association said.

"We strongly condemn this incident and stand in solidarity with the doctors who continue to serve under immense pressure and risk. Strict action must be taken against those responsible, and hospital safety must be ensured without delay," it added. 

Commenting on this, Dr Vikash Sharma, President of IMA JDN Rajasthan said, "Condemning and standing with IMA elect state president. Violence against doctors is unacceptable. We urge rajasthan govt and authorities to take strict action."

Writing a letter to the Rajasthan Chief Minister, the IMA headquaters requested the government to take immediate and strict action against those involved in the incident and ensure adequate security for doctors and hospitals to prevent such incidents in the future, as a secure healthcare system is essential for the welfare of society and the nation.

"Sir, you are well aware that the assault on doctors is highly condemnable and shameful act by the hooligans and miscreants of the society who under the garb of emotion and sentiments torture doctors and ransack the property of the medical establishments. These types of acts demoralise the doctors and healthcare staff working in the hospital. Sir, such acts of violence are unacceptable and seriously affect the functioning of medical services. Doctors work day and night for patient care and deserve safety and respect while performing their duties. They cannot work under the grab of fear," the letter read. 

IMA Bihar chapter urged the state government and the law enforcement authorities to conduct a fair investigation into the incident and arrests all the individuals involved with the alleged attack. 

Dr Dhruv Chauhan National Spokesperson IMA JDN said, "The image of the Rajasthan IMA President with his shirt torn apart inside a hospital is more than an assault on one doctor It is a public autopsy of the the dignity of entire Medical Fraternity, the govt of Rajasthan, and police authorities. There was a time when violence was dismissed as the “occupational hazard” of young resident doctors and Seniors believed experience and stature would shield them from the rage of the mob but this image of a respected senior doctor representing entire profession will change this mindset. This is no more just an attack but completely a situation of collapsed law and order in the country."

FAIMA Doctors Association, supporting Dr Anand Gupta and all doctors reportedly assaulted at JP Orthopaedics Hospital, Udaipur, called the incident 'shameful' and 'unacceptable'. The association demanded a thorough investigation in the matter and strict measure to prevent such attacks on healthcare workers. 

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr. Jaideep Kumar Choudhary, FAIMA, National Chairman, said, "This is not an isolated event that is taking place in this country with the doctors. But assault over a Senior doctor who in fact came to rescue his fellow colleagues as he is already a post bearer of IMA in Rajasthan. I really want to appeal to the Union Health Ministry to provide proper police safety to the doctors at least in the high risk areas of the hospitals like Emergency, Trauma Centres, ICUs and HDUs. And also make the laws more flawless and stricter for any violence against doctors and other healthcare workers."

He said, "No doctor wishes to harm the patient ever. All of us take the oath to serve the patient to the best of our knowledge and skill. All of us sometimes even work more than our duty hours.. Still the lack of staff, facilities, doctors (colleagues) and faculties (in medical colleges) make our efforts go null when we urgently require more workforce for any procedure.. I Sincerely request the Politicians and Bureaucrates to refrain from showing the bad image of the doctors to the people, which they surely are not. Because if there is failure in the system, the failure is theirs too, the responsibility is of the Health Ministry and of its concerned IAS too. Now, I literally am shocked as well as grieve that Dr. Anand Gupta was assaulted so brutally. FAIMA stands firmly with all the doctors of JP orthopedic hospital. And we demand immediate arrest, speedy trial and harsh punishment to the accused.. Since SIT has been made for this, we are waiting for their results in the next 3-4 days and if even a single accused is roaming free we are going to support the IMA's decision of nationwide protest because ENOUGH IS ENOUGH."

FAIMA National Spokesperson, Dr Mohammad Momin Khan told Medical Dialogues, "We took up the matter with SP Amrita Duhan udaipur Police and are grateful for the prompt action taken by the police, leading to the arrest of nine accused persons. I was also in constant touch with Dr. Sharma president IMA JDN regarding the developments. We stand firmly with our colleagues and will never tolerate any injustice, intimidation, or violence against the medical fraternity. An attack on one doctor is an attack on the entire medical fraternity. Strict and exemplary action against the accused is essential to ensure such incidents are never repeated."

Demanding the same, the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) said, "A state where even the President of its medical association is not safe on hospital premises has failed its doctors. A state that fails its doctors will soon fail its patients."

In a post on 'X', United Doctors' Front (UDF) association said, "This is NOT just an attack on one doctor — it’s an attack on the entire medical fraternity. Immediate FIR, arrests & strict action required! Medical community stands UNITED."

Dr Amit Vyas National President, Democratic Medical Association (DMA India) told Medical Dialogues, "The recent incident of violence against doctors in Udaipur raises a larger question about how our society views healthcare professionals. If violence occurs at an airport, the perpetrators may find themselves on a no-fly list. If it happens inside a courtroom, contempt proceedings can follow. If a senior administrative officer is assaulted, the entire state machinery springs into action. If a police officer is attacked, the response is often immediate and uncompromising. Yet when doctors are assaulted, abused, threatened, or even physically attacked while performing their duties, the response is often muted and temporary."

"Doctors in India perhaps remain the only professionals who continue to uphold their duty towards patients despite repeated incidents of violence, humiliation, and intimidation. They return to work the very next day because their profession demands service before self. Almost every day, surprise inspections, political visits, media trials, and public outrage focus on doctors, while systemic failures often escape the same level of scrutiny. Questions that should be directed toward policymakers and administrators are instead placed on the shoulders of frontline healthcare workers. Doctors are accountable for patient care, but they cannot be held solely responsible for every deficiency within the healthcare system. The Udaipur incident is not merely about one act of violence. It is a reminder that unless there is zero tolerance for attacks on healthcare workers, the morale, dignity, and safety of the medical fraternity will continue to suffer," he said. 

Furthermore, the Faculty Association of AIIMS (FAIIMS) wrote a letter to PM Narendra Modi demanding Central Protection Act and strong measures to prevent violence against doctors and healthcare workers across India. 

Expressing concern over the rising attacks on doctors, the association siad, "Despite repeated assurances and discussions over many years, healthcare professionals across India continue to await the enactment of a comprehensive Central Protection Act that would provide uniform legal safeguards to doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, students, and all healthcare workers irrespective of the state in which they serve. We further requests the personal intervention of the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India to ensure that this long-pending issue receives the highest priority and that a comprehensive Central Protection Act is enacted at the earliest. Such legislation would send a strong message that the safety, dignity, and security of healthcare workers are national priorities."