On July 1, 2025, Indian chess grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi posted a heartfelt tribute to his family on X (formerly Twitter) in honor of National Doctors’ Day. The message, accompanied by a selfie featuring his wife, parents, and sister, expressed his admiration and appreciation for the medical professionals in his family. While the post was intended as a gesture of gratitude, it quickly became the center of a major online controversy about who is truly eligible to be called a “doctor” in India.
Curious followers soon began asking about the specific fields of expertise held by his family members. In response, Gujrathi explained that his father is an Ayurvedic migraine specialist, his wife holds an MD in homeopathy, his mother works in cosmetology, and his sister is a physiotherapist. Initially, the post was met with warmth. However, within 24 hours, the tone shifted drastically.
The Liver Doc Steps In, Stirring Up Storm
On July 2, Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, a hepatologist better known on social media as The Liver Doc, responded sharply to Gujrathi’s post. In a blunt statement, Dr. Philips asserted that the individuals mentioned in the tribute should not be classified as doctors. This response sparked a flurry of reactions, quickly dividing social media into supporters and critics.
The Liver Doc, known for his firm stance against unscientific practices in healthcare, argued that Ayurveda, homeopathy, cosmetology, and physiotherapy do not fall under the scope of conventional clinical medicine. Although he acknowledged that physiotherapy is a legitimate branch of healthcare that supports recovery and rehabilitation, he firmly stated that the other disciplines lack clinical validation. His especially severe comments about homeopathy, which he controversially associated with historical pseudoscientific movements, inflamed the situation further.
Gujrathi Responds with Defiance
Vidit Gujrathi did not remain silent. He defended his family, stating that they were all formally trained, qualified, and certified practitioners in their respective fields. He emphasized their commitment to serving others and the impact they have made over the years, even if they weren’t working in the limelight. Though he later deleted his original post, Gujrathi posted screenshots of his conversation with The Liver Doc, accusing him of seeking attention by publicly attacking others instead of celebrating their contributions.
In his follow-up, Gujrathi expressed that his intention was simply to honour his loved ones. He admitted he initially chose to stay quiet but felt compelled to speak out after what he described as mockery and dismissal of his family’s work. He stressed that critics on social media cannot determine who deserves to be called a doctor, especially when individuals in his family have devoted their lives to helping people through alternative systems of medicine.
The Medical Legality Behind the Title "Doctor"
According to a report by India Today, the term “doctor” in India is not restricted to those with MBBS or MD degrees in modern allopathic medicine. Under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of AYUSH, professionals holding degrees like BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) and BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery) are legally recognized as doctors. These individuals are allowed to use the prefix "Dr." before their names and are registered under statutory bodies such as the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) and the Central Council of Homeopathy (CCH).
However, these councils are separate from the National Medical Commission (NMC), which governs allopathic medical practitioners. While AYUSH doctors can legally practice within their respective disciplines, they are not authorized to prescribe allopathic medication or present themselves as clinical physicians. This legal distinction often blurs in everyday practice, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where access to conventional healthcare is limited.
Who Gets to Be a Doctor? The Debate Endures
The controversy highlights a persistent tension in India’s healthcare landscape. While traditional systems like Ayurveda and homeopathy have deep cultural roots and legal recognition, they continue to be contested by many from the modern medical establishment.
Physiotherapists, though integral to patient recovery, are not granted the title of “doctor” under standard clinical definitions. Cosmetologists, on the other hand, may or may not be doctors depending on their educational background—if they hold an MBBS or equivalent degree in dermatology or aesthetic medicine, they may qualify.
In the end, what started as a tribute evolved into a conversation about professional legitimacy, public perception, and the evolving definition of a doctor in modern India. As the debate unfolds, one thing is certain: the divide between traditional and modern medicine continues to challenge India’s healthcare identity.
Curious followers soon began asking about the specific fields of expertise held by his family members. In response, Gujrathi explained that his father is an Ayurvedic migraine specialist, his wife holds an MD in homeopathy, his mother works in cosmetology, and his sister is a physiotherapist. Initially, the post was met with warmth. However, within 24 hours, the tone shifted drastically.
The Liver Doc Steps In, Stirring Up Storm
On July 2, Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, a hepatologist better known on social media as The Liver Doc, responded sharply to Gujrathi’s post. In a blunt statement, Dr. Philips asserted that the individuals mentioned in the tribute should not be classified as doctors. This response sparked a flurry of reactions, quickly dividing social media into supporters and critics.
I am sorry but none of them are really doctors. pic.twitter.com/ppj1rvWNre
— TheLiverDoc (@theliverdr) July 2, 2025
The Liver Doc, known for his firm stance against unscientific practices in healthcare, argued that Ayurveda, homeopathy, cosmetology, and physiotherapy do not fall under the scope of conventional clinical medicine. Although he acknowledged that physiotherapy is a legitimate branch of healthcare that supports recovery and rehabilitation, he firmly stated that the other disciplines lack clinical validation. His especially severe comments about homeopathy, which he controversially associated with historical pseudoscientific movements, inflamed the situation further.
Gujrathi Responds with Defiance
Vidit Gujrathi did not remain silent. He defended his family, stating that they were all formally trained, qualified, and certified practitioners in their respective fields. He emphasized their commitment to serving others and the impact they have made over the years, even if they weren’t working in the limelight. Though he later deleted his original post, Gujrathi posted screenshots of his conversation with The Liver Doc, accusing him of seeking attention by publicly attacking others instead of celebrating their contributions.
Your entire brand and personality is built on insulting others.
— Vidit Gujrathi (@viditchess) July 3, 2025
While you chase retweets by tearing people down, my family quietly heals lives without needing a spotlight.
They’ve helped more people than your ego can count.
Stay in your lane. And for a change, try being useful. https://t.co/jr7TR7NQol
In his follow-up, Gujrathi expressed that his intention was simply to honour his loved ones. He admitted he initially chose to stay quiet but felt compelled to speak out after what he described as mockery and dismissal of his family’s work. He stressed that critics on social media cannot determine who deserves to be called a doctor, especially when individuals in his family have devoted their lives to helping people through alternative systems of medicine.
Hello, Vidit. I am not a fan of chess, but you are an important person for our country and I did not mean to offend your family. I am sure they are good people. I was stating plain facts from a professional standpoint and I do not mince my words. You may call that ego or… https://t.co/ITVqYG8Uee pic.twitter.com/ZBb2WFMbN7
— TheLiverDoc (@theliverdr) July 3, 2025
I made a simple post out of gratitude.
— Vidit Gujrathi (@viditchess) July 3, 2025
I chose silence at first, because not every conversation deserves a response.
But when it turned into mocking my family, I stepped in.
If that means stepping out of my lane, so be it.
You and trolls like you don’t get to decide who’s a… https://t.co/jIno3uvvZ1
The Medical Legality Behind the Title "Doctor"
According to a report by India Today, the term “doctor” in India is not restricted to those with MBBS or MD degrees in modern allopathic medicine. Under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of AYUSH, professionals holding degrees like BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) and BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery) are legally recognized as doctors. These individuals are allowed to use the prefix "Dr." before their names and are registered under statutory bodies such as the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) and the Central Council of Homeopathy (CCH).
However, these councils are separate from the National Medical Commission (NMC), which governs allopathic medical practitioners. While AYUSH doctors can legally practice within their respective disciplines, they are not authorized to prescribe allopathic medication or present themselves as clinical physicians. This legal distinction often blurs in everyday practice, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where access to conventional healthcare is limited.
Who Gets to Be a Doctor? The Debate Endures
The controversy highlights a persistent tension in India’s healthcare landscape. While traditional systems like Ayurveda and homeopathy have deep cultural roots and legal recognition, they continue to be contested by many from the modern medical establishment.
Physiotherapists, though integral to patient recovery, are not granted the title of “doctor” under standard clinical definitions. Cosmetologists, on the other hand, may or may not be doctors depending on their educational background—if they hold an MBBS or equivalent degree in dermatology or aesthetic medicine, they may qualify.
In the end, what started as a tribute evolved into a conversation about professional legitimacy, public perception, and the evolving definition of a doctor in modern India. As the debate unfolds, one thing is certain: the divide between traditional and modern medicine continues to challenge India’s healthcare identity.
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