Mangalorean doctor Sunil Rao terminated from Bahrain Hospital over anti-Palestine tweets
Bahrain: Mangaluru Dr. Sunil Rao, an Indian-origin specialist in internal medicine, has been terminated from his position at the Royal Bahrain Hospital after posting inflammatory remarks on social media regarding the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The controversial comments expressed support for Israel during the conflict with the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Dr. Rao's posts, shared on the platform X (formerly Twitter), caught the attention of Bahraini authorities after being reported by a concerned user. The hospital issued an official statement on X, clarifying that Dr. Rao's views were personal and did not align with the institution's values. The hospital confirmed that his statements violated their code of conduct, leading to his immediate termination.
In response to the controversy, Dr. Rao issued an apology on X, acknowledging the insensitivity of his remarks. He expressed regret, stating, "I would like to apologize for the statement I posted on this platform. It was insensitive given the current events. As a doctor, I value all lives. I deeply respect this country, its people, and its religion, as I have been here for the past 10 years."
Dr. Rao, an alumnus of Andhra Medical College in Visakhapatnam and Kasturba Medical College in Mangaluru, Karnataka, had approximately 20 years of experience in the medical field. His profile has since been removed from the hospital's official website.
This incident occurs amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, resulting in a significant loss of life on both sides. The conflict began following a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, prompting Israel to initiate a counteroffensive named 'Operation Iron Swords.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated the intention to launch a ground operation in the Gaza Strip, vowing to eradicate Hamas entirely.
I would like to apologized about the statement that I posted on this platform.
— SUNIL J RAO (@shilpasunil_rao) October 19, 2023
It was insensitive in the context of the current event. As a doctor all lives matter. I respect this country its people and its religion deeply as I have been here for past 10 years.
كلماتي و افعالي
— RoyalBahrainHospital (@RBHospital) October 19, 2023
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TN Assembly elections: Eight-month pregnant homemaker wins Thiru Vi Ka Nagar seat for TVK
Chennai (PTI): Before giving birth, she had already delivered a mandate—a symbol of hope for Thiru Vi Ka Nagar.
Echoing Delhi’s 2013 “common citizen” political churn associated with the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), an eight-month-pregnant homemaker, M R Pallavi, has been elected as an MLA from Chennai’s Thiru Vi Ka Nagar constituency, emerging as one of the notable first-time faces of the Vijay-led TVK in the recently held Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
In the narrow lanes of Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, a steady stream of media personnel has been making their way to Pallavi’s residence—a scene reminiscent of the result day in Delhi when journalists thronged the modest home of Rakhi Birla, who had won from Mangolpuri on an AAP ticket.
Pallavi, 36, a homemaker educated up to class XII, defeated the DMK candidate K S Ravichandran by a margin of 22,333 votes in the reserved Thiru Vi Ka Nagar Assembly constituency.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as the single largest party by winning 108 seats, while DMK and AIADMK got 59 and 47, respectively.
Pallavi’s victory has drawn attention due to her personal circumstances. She campaigned extensively while eight months pregnant, going door-to-door to reach voters.
According to local accounts, she even fainted once during the campaign but continued her outreach.
She has not spoken to the media following her victory, as doctors have advised her to rest. Her husband, Rajesh, briefly recounted her campaign efforts.
A self-professed admirer of actor-turned-politician Vijay, Pallavi joined TVK soon after its formation and is now among its first-time legislators.
Doctors have advised her to be hospitalised around May 20, as she is expecting her second child. Ahead of that, voters in Thiru Vi Ka Nagar have entrusted her with representing them in the state Assembly.
Political observers say the rise of candidates like Pallavi signals a possible shift in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, with voters backing a new party and candidates from non-traditional backgrounds.
