News Tamil Nadu

TVK Chief Vijay Gives Big Statement On Chennai Doctor’s Attack But Remember When He Attacked A Doctor In His ‘Pokkiri’ Film?

November 14, 2024
The Commune

On 13 November 2024, a violent assault on a doctor at the Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital (KCSSH) in Guindy, Chennai, left the medical community and public shocked. Dr. Balaji Jagannath, an associate professor in the Department of Oncology, was critically injured when he was attacked by a man named Vignesh, who reportedly blamed the doctor for his mother’s health condition. The altercation erupted around 10:30 AM when Vignesh, accompanied by several individuals, entered the oncology department under the pretense of a routine outpatient visit. The dispute escalated quickly as Vignesh confronted Dr. Jagannath regarding his mother Prema’s cancer treatment, resulting in a brutal assault in which Vignesh allegedly slashed the doctor’s neck and inflicted multiple injuries.

Onlookers intervened, allowing hospital staff to rush Dr. Jagannath to the ICU, where his condition remains critical. As a cardiac patient on anticoagulants, Dr. Jagannath suffered severe blood loss and injuries to his neck, head, and back. A multidisciplinary surgical team, including Cardiothoracic, Vascular, and Neurosurgery specialists, managed to stabilize him. KCSSH Director L. Parthasarathy confirmed that the incident has sparked serious concerns regarding the safety of healthcare workers, particularly in high-stakes, high-stress environments like government hospitals.

Following the attack, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin took to social media to express his shock, ordering an immediate investigation into the incident. He assured the public and healthcare workers of the government’s commitment to enhancing hospital security. Additionally, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Health Minister Ma. Subramanian visited KCSSH, emphasizing the administration’s dedication to ensuring the safety of medical professionals across the state.

Actor Turned Politician Vijay Condemns Attack

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief, actor Vijay, added his voice to the condemnation. In a public statement, he criticized the Tamil Nadu government, accusing it of failing to protect doctors, government employees, and civilians alike. On the official X handle, he wrote, “While our party’s executive committee had condemned through a resolution that the crimes taking place in broad daylight in Tamil Nadu show the breakdown of law and order, the daily crimes prove that this regime is a regime in which there is no security for government employees, traders and the general public. At the highly specialized Government Hospital in Guindy, Chennai, oncologist Mr. Balaji’s stabbing incident today has caused a great shock. The negligence of the Tamil Nadu government is the reason why the government doctor’s life is not safe in such a government super specialty hospital which provides life-saving treatment. The doctor who was injured in the stabbing, Mr. Balaji, I pray for a speedy full recovery. The government of Tamil Nadu should take all legal measures to ensure the safety of hard-working doctors from time to time. The daily occurrence of various crime incidents in Tamil Nadu has created fear among the public. I urge the rulers who are supposed to maintain law and order to wake up and take all measures to protect the people.”

However, Vijay’s condemnation has drawn backlash due to its perceived hypocrisy. The actor’s recent blockbuster “Pokkiri” includes a controversial scene where Vijay, playing the protagonist, storms into a hospital and violently confronts a doctor—a depiction that some argue glamorizes such attacks and undermines the very message he now seeks to promote. Critics point out the irony of Vijay’s outrage, noting that his own film portrays an assault on a healthcare professional, blurring the line between entertainment and irresponsible messaging.

In an environment already tense with instances of violence against healthcare workers, Vijay’s choice to rebuke the state government for this incident while profiting from a film scene that fictionalizes similar violence is being questioned. Critics have called on Vijay and other influencers in Tamil Nadu to recognize the impact of their portrayals and to use their platforms more responsibly.

The Tamil Nadu government has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation and implement necessary security enhancements in hospitals.

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