A doctor at Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital (KCSSH) in Guindy, Chennai, was critically injured in a violent attack on Wednesday, 13 November 2024. Dr Balaji Jagannath, an associate professor in the Department of Oncology, was reportedly attacked by Vignesh, a man from Perungalathur, who allegedly blamed Dr Jagannath for his mother’s condition. The altercation began around 10:30 AM, when Vignesh entered the oncology department with an outpatient pass, accompanied by a group. The disagreement escalated over the treatment provided to his mother, Prema, a cancer patient, during which Vignesh allegedly slashed the doctor’s neck and inflicted several injuries. Onlookers quickly intervened, and Dr Jagannath was rushed to the ICU, where he is reported to be in critical condition.
Dr Jagannath, who is a cardiac patient and on anticoagulants, suffered severe bleeding and injuries to his neck, head, and back. According to KCSSH Director L. Parthasarathy, he was immediately taken into surgery, where a team from the Cardiothoracic, Vascular, and Neuro Surgery departments stabilized his condition.
Following the incident, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed shock on social media and ordered a thorough investigation. The Chief Minister assured that the government is committed to ensuring the safety of healthcare workers. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Health Minister Ma. Subramanian visited KCSSH in response to the attack.
Health Minister Ma Subramanian Incorrectly Blames North Indians
While addressing the press about the rainy weather conditions, preparedness, etc, the reporters asked DMK Health Minister Ma Subramanian about the gruesome attack at the hospital. At this point, while it seemed he was not aware of the situation, someone goes close to the minister and apprises him of it. Replying to the question again he said, “They told me just now. Around 4 North Indians came to the hospital for treatment and attacked the doctor after locking him up in a room. Police have arrested two people, the police department will take immediate action and arrest the rest of them and take appropriate legal action.“
In reality, as mentioned above, the culprit is Vignesh, and had been captured on CCTV walking casually after stabbing the doctor several times. He is also seen dropping the weapon in an open area inside the hospital.
Caught On Cam: Attacker casually walks with a knife after stabbing a doctor in Chennai #ITVideo #Chennai #TamilNadu | @PramodMadhav6 @nabilajamal_ pic.twitter.com/ywneMNPv0D
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) November 13, 2024
Dravidianist Media Also Blames “North Indians”
Thanthi TV, a prominent mainstream media blamed “north Indian youth” over the attack on the doctor.
The above X post reads: “Doctor stabbed to death at Kalaignar Centenary Hospital, Guindy, Chennai. North Indian youths stabbed the doctor saying that he did not treat the mother properly. Hospital staff who caught 4 people, beat them and handed them over to the police.”
In another tweet, Thanthi TV wrote: “Doctor gets stabbed in Chennai’s famous Kalaignar hospital. Madness of North Indian youth”
Ma Subramanian Clarifies
After visiting the hospital and taking stock of the situation, Health Minister Ma Subramanian spoke to the press. He said, “His mother was taking treatment here, he is quite used to the place and people have seen him here before. At this time, he has attacked the doctor in the room under the pretext of meeting him. I was in Pallikaranai to oversee something and was told some North Indians were involved in the attack by the director. But it is wrong, it is not North Indians. The accused is from Tamil Nadu, from Perungulathur and his name is Vigneshwaran. Police have taken him into custody and do further investigation. He thought the wrong chemotherapy treatment was given to his mother as the lungs were affected. This hospital carries out cancer therapy very well and the doctor in question has a very good name in the industry. “
Despite the clarification, Dravidianist media like Thanthi TV have not removed the posts from their X handle yet.
(With inputs from The Hindu)
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