Only those who hold an MBBS or equivalent modern medical degree can legally present themselves as doctors in India, while Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Physiotherapy, and Cosmetology follow separate regulations and titles.
Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi opened a can of worms the moment he tweeted “Happy Doctor’s Day to my entire family.” He wanted to celebrate the people who guided his chess journey. Instead, he found himself in a spicy back-and-forth with hepatologist Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, better known on social media as TheLiverDoc. The exchange highlights a much bigger question: who has the right to call themselves a doctor in India, and how does that single word shape public trust?
What Sparked the Clash on Twitter
Vidit’s post looked harmless at first glance. He listed his father as an Ayurvedic migraine specialist, his wife as an MD in Homeopathy, his mother as a cosmetologist, and his sister as a physiotherapist. To him, they were all healers who gave up personal ambitions for his chess career.
Dr Philips saw something different. For years he has used his account to push back against claims he considers unscientific, and he felt Vidit’s tweet blurred an important line. His reply was blunt, some say rude. The Liver Doc wrote that none of Vidit’s relatives were “real doctors” and called Homeopathy a sham. Vidit fired back accusing Philips of chasing retweets by insulting others. Screenshots traveled fast across Twitter, Instagram, and even Facebook chess groups.
Why did the spat spread so quickly? A 2022 study in New Media and Society found that tweets containing conflict language receive up to three times more interactions than neutral messages. In other words, we cannot look away from a public quarrel, especially when it involves a national chess star and a fiery gastroenterologist.
Legal Definition of “Doctor” in India
Many followers jumped into the thread without knowing that Indian law actually sets clear rules. The National Medical Commission Act protects the title doctor for those registered in modern medicine. That boils down to MBBS and higher. Statutes governing Ayurveda and Homeopathy allow graduates to practice within their systems but instruct them to use titles such as Vaidya or Homoeopathic Physician.
Below is a quick comparison of the four fields at the heart of this debate.
| Field | Degree | Regulator | Permitted Title | Prescribing Rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Medicine | MBBS, MD | National Medical Commission | Doctor (Dr.) | Full allopathic drugs |
| Ayurveda | BAMS, MD Ayurveda | Central Council of Indian Medicine | Vaidya or Ayurvedic Doctor (with qualifier) | Ayurvedic formulations |
| Homeopathy | BHMS, MD Homeopathy | Central Council of Homeopathy | Homoeopathic Physician | Homeopathic remedies |
| Physiotherapy | BPT, MPT | Indian Association of Physiotherapists | Physiotherapist | No drug prescriptions |
| Cosmetology | Certificate to Fellowship | Varies, no single national body | Cosmetologist | Limited topical products |
The Supreme Court reaffirmed these boundaries in 2018 when it ruled that traditional medicine graduates cannot prescribe modern drugs unless a state law explicitly allows it. This ruling is why Dr Philips insisted Vidit’s family members should not claim the general doctor title.
I am sorry but
none of them are really doctors. pic.twitter.com/ppj1rvWNre—
TheLiverDoc (@theliverdr) July
2, 2025
Your entire brand
and personality is built on insulting others.
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—
Vidit Gujrathi (@viditchess) July
3, 2025
Science vs Tradition: The Core Disagreement
Underneath the social media snark lies a real clash between evidence based medicine and traditional health practices.
One side argues that only treatments proven through large randomised trials deserve the public’s trust. A 2015 review by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council concluded there is “no reliable evidence” that Homeopathy is effective for any condition. Skeptics like Dr Philips carry this finding into every debate.
The other side points to centuries of Ayurvedic use and countless patient stories. The Ministry of AYUSH reports that more than six crore citizens visit Ayurvedic clinics each year. Surveys show high satisfaction among users, even though large clinical trials are scarce.
Physiotherapy ends up in a middle spot. Its benefits for musculoskeletal pain are well documented in journals such as The Lancet, yet physiotherapists cannot treat infections or internal diseases. Cosmetology focuses mainly on appearance rather than systemic health, so scientific scrutiny is less intense but still important for safety.
Evidence Snapshot
- A 2020 Cochrane review of thirty two Ayurvedic pain studies rated the overall certainty of evidence as low.
- The British Medical Journal published data in 2022 showing that exercise programs led by physiotherapists cut post knee surgery recovery time by an average of six weeks.
- An analysis in the Journal of Dermatology noted a three percent complication rate in skin procedures performed by non dermatologist cosmetologists compared with one percent when a dermatologist leads the team.
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
Public Reaction and Social Media Impact
Followers quickly chose sides. Chess fans rallied behind Vidit, praising his family’s sacrifices. Doctors and science communicators backed Dr Philips, arguing that imprecise titles can mislead patients. Casual observers mostly enjoyed the fireworks.
Sentiment analysis tool Brandwatch tracked the hashtag #LiverDoc during the first forty eight hours of the dispute and found:
- 41 percent supportive of Dr Philips
- 34 percent supportive of Vidit
- 25 percent neutral or joking
That near even split mirrors India’s complex feelings about traditional medicine. While most households keep paracetamol in the cupboard, grandmothers’ herbal recipes remain a comfort.
| Group | Common Viewpoint | Typical Concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Modern Medicine Advocates | Titles must match evidence based training | Patient safety, misuse of drugs |
| Traditional Supporters | Centuries of wisdom deserve respect | Loss of cultural identity, elitism |
| General Public | Wants affordable and effective care | Confusion about whom to trust |
Lessons for Patients and Professionals
Twitter fights are loud, yet they offer useful takeaways for anyone navigating India’s crowded health space.
Both Vidit and Dr Philips care about well being, though their methods differ. They remind us that:
- Titles carry legal weight and signal specific skill sets.
- Scientific evidence should guide decisions on serious disease.
- Cultural practices can complement but not replace emergency care.
Below is a quick checklist for readers seeking health help.
- Check your practitioner’s registration number on official council websites.
- Ask what treatments they can legally provide and where they refer complex cases.
- Seek second opinions for life threatening or complicated conditions.
- Remember that politeness costs nothing. Even online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an Ayurvedic graduate write Dr before the name?
Yes, but the law requires a qualifier such as Ayurvedic Doctor or Vaidya to avoid confusion with MBBS practitioners.
Are homeopathic remedies regulated in India?
The Central Council of Homeopathy sets education standards, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act governs remedy quality, though critics say enforcement is uneven.
Is physiotherapy effective for chronic back pain?
Numerous randomised trials show that structured physiotherapy reduces pain and improves mobility within twelve weeks for many patients.
Why do some doctors attack alternative medicine online?
They argue that unproven claims can delay proper treatment and harm public health, especially when shared by influencers with large followings.
What legal action can be taken against title misuse?
State medical councils can fine or suspend those falsely presenting themselves as doctors, and criminal charges may apply under the Medical Council Act.
Do traditional and modern practitioners ever work together?
Yes. Some hospitals run integrated clinics where Ayurvedic therapies are offered for supportive care while modern medicine handles acute management.
How can the public decide whom to trust?
Verify credentials, ask for evidence behind any treatment plan, and consult multiple qualified professionals for serious conditions.
Signing Off
The Vidit and Liver Doc clash might fade from timelines, yet the question it raised will stay. Clear titles protect patients and respect every field’s boundaries. If you found this breakdown useful, share it with friends and drop your thoughts below.
