Doctors in the City are shell-shocked over the suspected involvement of a Bangalore doctor in the failed terror attack in the UK. There is a sense of outrage and shame in the medical fraternity but there is much hope too that the nightmarish news would turn out to be false.
Responses from doctors across the City revealed the usual human inability to come to terms with a devastating piece of news. Naturally uppermost on their minds was the worry that if charges against Mohammed Haneef are proved true, it would permanantly slur the fair name of the Indian medical community.
 President of Indian Medical Association (Bangalore branch) Dr V Shanmuganandan feels it is a matter of great shame to the medical profession if the episode turns out to be true. “Doctors are supposed to be sympathetic to human suffering. So, to use the profession as a shield to indulge in such activities would amount to misusing it and we are profoundly disturbed by it.”
A few doctors are calling for patience before jumping to conclusions. Dr Somashekharaiah, pediatric surgeon at Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences feels it is too early to make a judgement. “Let the investigations  proceed. Only then can we get a clear idea. However, if it is proved, I will be really ashamed of it and there should be no place for such a person in the profession.”
Orthopaedic surgeon at HOSMAT, Dr Manish Samson, is pained by the media coverage. “We are naturally shocked by whatever has happened. However, it is at a very early stage of the episode to draw any conclusions. I am deeply hurt by the media blowing up the issue as this will give a very bad name to our profession.”
Karnataka Medical Council President Dr Chikkananjappa says words failed him when he heard the news. “The moment one enters the medical profession, one dedicates oneself to humanity. Such a thing is unheard of and it amounts to mass-killing with a licence. We are all very shocked. If Haneef is chargesheeted, as a first step we will remove them permanently from the Council.’’ He also added that the Government must take very serious action against him. 
Dr Satish Totey of Manipal Hospital’s Stem Cell Research  prefers to wait.“It is a fluid situation right now. No one is sure whether he is actually involved or not. So I am waiting (to know more).”
Meanwhile, everyone else too awaits with bated breath for news that the Bangalore doctor has been cleared from the list of suspects.