Imagine posting a heartfelt tribute to your family on social media, only to have it ignite a firestorm of controversy.
That’s exactly what happened to Indian chess grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi when his innocent Doctor’s Day post on July 1, 2025, led to a heated clash with Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, known online as TheLiverDoc.
The debate, which unfolded on X, has gripped the internet, raising big questions about who qualifies as a “doctor” in India and whether alternative medicine deserves respect.
In this article, we’ll break down the controversy, explore both sides, and dive into why this online spat matters.
What Sparked the Controversy?
On July 1, 2025, Vidit Gujrathi, a celebrated chess grandmaster and part of India’s gold-winning Chess Olympiad team, shared a selfie on X with his family—his father, mother, sister, and wife.
His caption read, “Happy Doctor’s Day to my entire family.” When a curious user asked about their professions, Vidit replied:
- Father: Ayurvedic migraine specialist
- Mother: Cosmetologist
- Sister: Physiotherapist
- Wife: MD in homeopathy
This wholesome post took a sharp turn when Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, a hepatologist who goes by TheLiverDoc on X, commented, “I am sorry, but none of them are really doctors.” His blunt remark set off a war of words that’s now a trending topic across India.
Who Are Vidit Gujrathi and TheLiverDoc?
Before we dive into the drama, let’s meet the key players.
- Vidit Gujrathi: A 30-year-old chess grandmaster from Nashik, India, Vidit is a national hero. He’s part of India’s chess elite, having helped secure the country’s first Chess Olympiad gold in 2024. Known for his calm demeanor, Vidit rarely engages in online disputes, making his fiery response all the more striking.
- Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips (TheLiverDoc): A Kerala-based hepatologist, Dr. Philips is a vocal critic of alternative medicine like Ayurveda and homeopathy. With 260 peer-reviewed publications and a strong online presence, he’s built a reputation for calling out what he sees as “medical misinformation.”
The Timeline of the Spat
Here’s how the online clash unfolded, based on posts and news reports:
- July 1, 2025: Vidit posts his Doctor’s Day tribute on X, celebrating his family’s medical professions.
- July 2, 2025: TheLiverDoc responds, claiming none of Vidit’s family members are “really doctors” because their fields (Ayurveda, homeopathy, cosmetology, and physiotherapy) aren’t clinical medicine.
- July 3, 2025: Vidit fires back, accusing TheLiverDoc of building a brand on “insulting others.” He defends his family, saying, “They’ve helped more people than your ego can count. Stay in your lane. And for a change, try being useful.”
- July 3, 2025: TheLiverDoc doubles down, clarifying he meant no personal offense but stands by his view that only allopathic (MBBS) practitioners are true doctors. He cites his credentials and argues that Vidit’s post could mislead the public about healthcare.
- July 4, 2025: Vidit responds again, saying he initially stayed silent but couldn’t tolerate mockery of his family. He writes, “You and trolls like you don’t get to decide who’s a doctor.” He later deletes his original post but shares screenshots of the exchange.
The back-and-forth has since gone viral, with thousands of X users weighing in.
The Core Issue: Who Is a “Doctor” in India?
At the heart of this spat is a bigger question: who gets to call themselves a doctor in India? TheLiverDoc argues that only those with MBBS degrees or equivalent allopathic qualifications are true doctors.
He calls Ayurveda, homeopathy, and cosmetology “pseudoscience” and even links homeopathy to “Nazi medicine” due to its historical use in Germany.
Vidit, on the other hand, defends his family’s credentials.
In India, practitioners of Ayurveda (BAMS), homeopathy (BHMS), and physiotherapy (BPT) often hold recognized degrees and are legally allowed to use the title “doctor.” For example:
- Ayurveda and homeopathy practitioners complete 5.5-year degree programs, including internships, regulated by the Ministry of AYUSH.
- Physiotherapists with a BPT degree are recognized as healthcare professionals, though not clinical physicians.
- Cosmetology, while less regulated, often involves certifications and can overlap with medical aesthetics.
This debate isn’t new. India has long grappled with tensions between allopathy (modern medicine) and traditional systems like Ayurveda.
TheLiverDoc’s stance reflects a push for scientific rigor, while Vidit’s response highlights the personal and cultural value of alternative medicine.
Public Reactions: A Divided Internet
The X platform has been buzzing with opinions, splitting users into two camps:
- Team Vidit: Many support Vidit, arguing that Ayurveda, homeopathy, and physiotherapy are legitimate healing practices. One user wrote, “Ayurveda is India’s ancient science. Calling it a sham is disrespectful.” Another said, “Vidit’s family are healers, and that’s what matters.”
- Team TheLiverDoc: Others back Dr. Philips, emphasizing the need for evidence-based medicine. A user commented, “Vidit’s a chess star, not a medical expert. He shouldn’t spread misinformation about who’s a doctor.”
To gauge the sentiment, here’s a snapshot of reactions based on recent X posts:
| Sentiment | Percentage | Example Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Support Vidit | 55% | “Ayurveda is our heritage. Respect Vidit’s family!” |
| Support TheLiverDoc | 35% | “Only MBBS doctors are real doctors. Facts matter.” |
| Neutral/Other | 10% | “Why can’t we respect all healers?” |
Note: Data is hypothetical, based on trends observed in news reports.
Poll for Readers: What do you think? Should practitioners of Ayurveda, homeopathy, and physiotherapy be called “doctors”?
- A) Yes, they’re healers with recognized degrees.
- B) No, only MBBS practitioners are doctors.
- C) It depends on the context.
Share your vote in the comments below!
Quick Summary
If you don’t have time to read the full article, here’s the gist:
- Indian chess grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi posted a Doctor’s Day tribute to his family, calling them doctors (Ayurveda, homeopathy, cosmetology, physiotherapy).
- Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips (TheLiverDoc) commented that they aren’t “real doctors,” sparking a heated debate on X.
- Vidit defended his family, accusing TheLiverDoc of trolling. TheLiverDoc stood by his stance, citing scientific concerns.
- The spat has divided the internet, with some supporting Vidit’s family and others backing TheLiverDoc’s call for medical accuracy.
- The debate highlights ongoing tensions between modern and traditional medicine in India.
Why This Matters: Modern vs. Traditional Medicine
This isn’t just a social media spat—it’s a window into a larger cultural and medical debate in India. Ayurveda and homeopathy are deeply rooted in Indian tradition, with millions relying on them for healthcare.
The Ministry of AYUSH promotes these systems, and practitioners often hold government-recognized degrees. Yet, critics like TheLiverDoc argue that these fields lack the scientific evidence required to match allopathy’s standards.
The controversy raises questions:
- Public Health: Could calling alternative practitioners “doctors” confuse patients about their qualifications?
- Respect for Professions: Are critics like TheLiverDoc dismissing the contributions of alternative medicine unfairly?
- Influence of Public Figures: As a chess grandmaster, does Vidit’s post carry weight in shaping public views on healthcare?
TheLiverDoc warned that Vidit’s post could “normalize pseudoscience,” while Vidit emphasized his family’s real-world impact. Both sides have a point, but the clash shows how sensitive this topic is in India.
A Call for Respectful Dialogue
The Vidit Gujrathi-TheLiverDoc controversy started with a simple post but grew into a debate about medicine, respect, and public influence. While TheLiverDoc’s critique may be rooted in science, his timing and tone struck many as insensitive.
Vidit’s defense of his family shows the personal stakes of such debates. Moving forward, India needs clear guidelines on who can use the title “doctor” and more constructive conversations about integrating traditional and modern medicine.
