A. F. M Asad Ullah: A video showing a doctor kicking a patient’s attendant at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital has gone viral on social media. The video began circulating on Monday morning, sparking widespread outrage across Sylhet. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in Ward 31 on the ground floor of the hospital. Following the event, the accused doctor allegedly attempted to incite communal tension. The hospital authorities have temporarily suspended the accused doctor and formed a five-member investigation committee. The accused, Dr. Tanmoy Debnath, is affiliated with the hospital’s surgery department.
In the viral video, a doctor can be seen engaged in a verbal exchange with a patient’s attendant. The doctor is then seen approaching the individual aggressively and eventually kicking him.
It has been reported that Jubair Ahmad, a patient suffering from appendicitis, came to the surgery ward for treatment. The assaulted individual is said to be a friend of the patient.
Hospital authorities confirmed that Dr. Tanmoy Debnath is a postgraduate Phase-B resident trainee.
Following the viral incident, the accused doctor claimed that the attendants insulted him with derogatory communal slurs, including calling him a “Maloun.” However, questions have arisen regarding how the patient’s attendants could identify his religious background since the doctor was not wearing any identifying name tag or indicator. Conversely, the video appears to show the doctor verbally abusing and behaving aggressively toward the patient’s attendant.
Dr. Soumitra Chakrabortty, Deputy Director of Osmani Medical Hospital, confirmed the incident and stated, “This is a very unfortunate event. We will thoroughly investigate the matter. A five-member committee has been formed, and they have been instructed to submit a report within seven working days. In the meantime, Dr. Tanmoy Debnath has been relieved of his duties.”
What Exactly Happened?
A video showing a doctor kicking a patient’s attendant at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College went viral on Monday on Facebook.
The video captures a heated verbal altercation between a doctor wearing a white apron and an individual. At one point, the doctor is seen aggressively kicking the attendant. Following the video’s circulation, there was widespread criticism on social media, with many demanding punishment for the doctor.
Further investigation revealed that Jubel Ahmad, a patient in Ward 31, was undergoing treatment in the hospital’s surgery unit. On Sunday, his friend Mizan Ahmad came to visit him. It was with Mizan that the altercation with Dr. Tanmoy Debnath occurred.
Describing the incident, Mizan Ahmad said, “Jubel’s appendicitis pain increased, so I called the on-duty doctor. The doctor was in another ward attending to a patient at the time. When he arrived, I called him again, saying, ‘Sir.’ He responded by questioning why I was calling him in such a manner. I told him I addressed him respectfully as ‘Sir.’ This led to a verbal altercation, after which the doctor slapped and kicked me.”
Dr. Tanmoy Debnath, however, claimed, “I was attending to an emergency patient in another ward. In Ward 31, two individuals were lying on a patient’s bed with their legs crossed, calling me repeatedly. Even after I returned from the other ward, they continued calling me in the same manner. When I approached them and asked why they were calling me in such a way, they began arguing.”
The doctor admitted his actions were inappropriate, stating, “I lost my temper due to their offensive behavior and language. However, kicking them was wrong. I regret my actions and am deeply apologetic. I later spoke to the patient’s guardians to explain everything, and they understood the situation.”
