7 November 2026

To,
Honourable Mr. U.T. Khader
Minister of Health & Family Welfare – Karnataka
Vidhana Soudha
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Veedhi
Bengaluru – 560001
Karnataka, India.

Respected Sir,

We, the doctors of Karnataka, wish to bring to your urgent attention the increasingly distressing situation arising from repeated threats, intimidation and obstruction by the family members and relatives of Shayaan, along with certain local organisations and individuals.

We fully understand the emotional distress and anguish that a family experiences when their child is unwell. However, such distress cannot justify threats, intimidation or actions that compromise the safety, dignity and right to work of healthcare professionals. Doctors must be allowed to discharge their professional responsibilities without fear, intimidation or interference.

The situation has now escalated to an alarming level. The hospital entrance is being repeatedly obstructed, disrupting the movement of patients, attendants and healthcare personnel. More seriously, threats to kill the anaesthetist have reportedly been made, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity. The concerned anaesthetist has reportedly absconded, fearing for his personal safety. This has had a severe psychological impact on the medical fraternity, with some colleagues being compelled to take leave due to safety concerns, while others are finding it increasingly difficult to perform their duties in the prevailing circumstances.

This is no longer merely a matter of disagreement between a family and a healthcare institution. It has become a serious concern involving the personal safety of doctors, the security of hospital premises, the right of healthcare professionals to work without intimidation, and, most importantly, the uninterrupted delivery of essential medical services to patients.

Hospitals are places of healing and must remain safe spaces for patients, families and healthcare professionals alike. Any grievances or concerns regarding treatment must be addressed through appropriate legal, administrative and regulatory channels. Threatening medical professionals, obstructing hospital access or creating an environment of intimidation cannot be an acceptable means of seeking redress al.

We are also deeply saddened and concerned that our colleague, the anaesthetist, has been publicly termed "unqualified", despite the clarification issued by the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists (ISA) regarding postgraduate training and qualifications in Anesthesiology.

As clarified by the ISA, Paediatric Anaesthesia is an integral component of postgraduate training in Anesthesiology, irrespective of whether the postgraduate qualification is MD, DA or DNB. Doctors who have successfully completed their recognised postgraduate training in Anaesthesiology are trained in managing paediatric cases as part of their curriculum and are professionally and legally qualified to administer paediatric anaesthesia, subject to applicable regulatory requirements.

It is deeply distressing that the professional credentials, competence and integrity of a qualified medical practitioner are being questioned and misrepresented in the public domain. Such statements, particularly when emanating from or being associated with official authorities, can create serious misconceptions among the public, undermine confidence in the medical profession and expose individual doctors to unwarranted hostility and threats.

We respectfully urge the Honourable Minister to advise individuals who do not possess the requisite medical qualifications or professional expertise to refrain from commenting on the competence of medical practitioners, questioning their professional credentials, or expressing opinions on medical procedures, clinical protocols and treatment decisions. Such matters must be assessed exclusively by appropriately qualified medical experts and competent regulatory authorities, based on established medical standards and evidence.

The dignity, professional reputation and personal safety of doctors must be protected just as seriously as the rights and interests of patients.

We also wish to draw your attention to the Supreme Court's directions concerning the safety and protection of healthcare professionals at workplaces. The safety of doctors and medical staff must be treated with utmost seriousness, and appropriate measures must be taken to prevent intimidation, violence and obstruction of healthcare services.

In view of the above, we earnestly request your immediate intervention and support in ensuring:

Immediate police protection: Appropriate security arrangements for doctors, nurses and other healthcare personnel working at the hospital.
 Prevention of threats and intimidation: Immediate action against individuals making threats of violence or death against healthcare professionals.
Unobstructed hospital access: Ensuring that hospital entrances and access routes remain free from demonstrations, blockades or any other form of obstruction.
Protection of the right to work: Enabling doctors and healthcare personnel to discharge their professional responsibilities without fear or interference.
Continuity of patient care: Ensuring that essential healthcare services are not disrupted and that patients and their families are not adversely affected by the prevailing situation. We reiterate that we have the utmost empathy for the family and their concerns regarding their child. However, doctors too have families, personal safety concerns and the fundamental right to earn their livelihood in a safe and secure working environment.
We sincerely appeal to your good office to intervene urgently before the situation deteriorates further or an unfortunate incident takes place. The medical fraternity should not have to choose between protecting its own safety and fulfilling its duty towards patients.

We look forward to your immediate attention and necessary action.

Yours sincerely,

On behalf of the Doctors Community